Controversy over all-male cabinet

The Conservative-run Vale of Glamorgan council has been accused of reaching a ‘new low for diversity’, after it emerged its cabinet would be run by a team of seven men, led by councillor John Thomas.

The news comes after Electoral Reform Society (ERS) said newly-formed council cabinets in Wales were not reflecting the fact more than a quarter of councillors are women. It cited around 28 per cent of councillors are women following elections on May 4.

Statistics show the proportion ranges from 42 per cent in Swansea to 10 per cent in Ynys Mon, where only three women were elected, although Ynys Mon will be led by a woman - Llinos Medi, of Plaid Cymru.

So far, the Vale of Glamorgan is the only authority with an all-male cabinet.

ERS Cymru director Jess Blair said: "The Vale of Glamorgan council's failure to have any women on their cabinet is a new low for diversity.

"We have serious concerns that other authorities across Wales are also failing to appropriately diversify their cabinets with all councils so far failing to be gender balanced."

Thomas, who takes over from a Labour-led administration, said: "The new cabinet brings a wealth of professional and political experience to the council and will provide the leadership needed to develop services fit for the 21st Century."

A spokesman for the Vale's ruling Conservative group said: "We are proud to have returned on May 4th with a diverse and talented team of first-time councillors, many of whom will go on to be instrumental in shaping the future of the Vale of Glamorgan.

"In Janice Charles, the Vale of Glamorgan will have an excellent champion as mayor, supported ably by Leighton Rowlands - who we have appointed as the Vale's first ever Youth Champion, and as the youngest deputy mayor in Vale history.

"We have ambitious and exciting plans for the Vale, and this will be an administration which works tirelessly to increase engagement with young people, to increase diversity and to attract new people into politics."