The Government will not impose compulsory gender and racial quotas so that elected councillors more accurately reflect the make up of their communities, local government minister, Brandon Lewis, told MPs this week.
Making his first appearance before the communities and local government committee on 29 October, Mr Lewis said ministers would not impose top-down ‘positive actions' to ensure greater diversity in council chambers – despite evidence indicating that just 4% of councillors come from black and ethnic minority backgrounds, while just 30% are women.
