Local government remains a male-dominated world, according to new research. Less than 21% of council chief executives are women, according to latest figures released by The MJ's sister publication, Municipal Year Book (MYB). Women do slightly better in unitary councils, where 29% of the bosses are female. However, the figures drop to just 17% in district councils, and for Northern Ireland, the ratio of male to female chief executives is almost one to eight. The figures compare to local government officers as a whole, where 30% are women. As for councillors, overall, 29% are women. One-third of councillors in London are women, and 32% in metropolitan authorities, whereas just 22% of Scottish councillors are women, and 24% of county councillors. Writing in the foreword of the latest edition of MYB, Local Government Association (LGA) chief executive, John Ransford, claims the recession is the biggest issue for councils in the coming year. In the run-up to the general election, Mr Ransford claims the LGA's role is to speak as a single voice for councils, and persuade the Government of the need for a ‘joined-up, devolved state'. The new edition of MYB is published on 1 October. To order your copy, please visit www.LocalGov.co.uk/directory, e-mail customer@hglukcom or call 020 7973 6694.
