Brighton and Hove council sees women members outnumber men

Brighton and Hove city council topped a study, which found 56 per cent of councillors to be women - more than any other council in the country.

There were 30 women on the city council in 2021 out of 54 members overall – an increase from only 25 female councillors in 2016.

Councillor Sue Shanks, deputy leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “We’re of course pleased that a high number of women councillors represent Brighton & Hove.

Sue Shanks, deputy leader of the council, is pleased with the result

“This does highlight the issue of lack of women on other councils as we are one of only 12 across the country where women are well represented. “We all need to act to ensure both the public and online sphere are safe and welcoming environments for all, particularly given rising concerns about physical and online abuse and violence.”

But as only 35 per cent of England’s total number of councillors are female, Jemima Olchawski, chief executive of equality group the Fawcett Society, said more needs to be done.

"The 2021 local elections saw a lot of new councillors elected, but we saw more of the same,” she said.

"Almost all councils continue to be dominated by men.

"It's not good enough – we need to see our political parties setting out, and committing to, action plans which will improve diversity and improve society for us all."

It comes as equality campaigners are calling for more women to stand for election across England’s authorities on International Women’s Day.

The number of female councillors in chambers across England did, however, rise to 6,021 in 2021, up from 5,802 in 2017.

Brighton and Hove city council has 30 female councillors

Frances Scott, founder of the 50:50 Parliament campaign group, said men continually outnumber women across the nation’s authorities, and insists more needs to be done to increase the number of female politicians.

She said: "Women's experiences of local transport, of education, of juggling a career and parenting, of violence, of healthcare and maternity services are simply not properly represented and society is losing out.

“We need to support women to stand for elected office so that our local governments and Parliament can draw upon the widest possible pool of talent and the 32 million women who live and work in the UK can have an equal share of voice."