About Us
Women’s Development Steering Group
The Women’s Development Steering Group was established by the LocalGovernment Training Group to identify and address training and development needs, against the background of the under-representation of women councillors and officers in the district councils.
Membership of the Steering Group includes representatives from a range of partner organisations including SOLACE, NILGA, the National Association of Councillors, Business in the Community, NIC-ICTU, the Equality Commission NI and the Institute of Governance at Queen’s University.
Heather Louden, Head of Financial Services, Belfast City Council is Chair of the Women’s Development Steering Group.
Our Vision
Our vision for the Women in Local Councils’ initiative is that:
Local Government in Northern Ireland will identify and respond to all forms of gender under-representation in decision making, employment practices, service delivery and partnerships.
Our Mission
To drive the Women in Local Councils’ initiative, so that each council and political party is challenged and supported to make measurable progress towards addressing any gender under-representation, thereby creating a local government sector which more accurately reflects the community it serves.
In striving to deliver this mission, the Women’s Development Steering Group will focus on putting effective arrangements in place to meet the requirements of legislation and will develop effective partnerships with other key organisations to address inequalities and adverse impact in the local government sector.
Our Culture
Four values underpin all our actions and relationships:
- Equity
- Fairness
- Engagement
- Opportunity
Influences on the Women in Local Councils’ Initiative
Key action areas identified in the Gender Equality Strategy reflect the focus of the Women in Local Councils’ initiative for councils and political parties, namely to:
- Increase women’s participation and representation in decision making processes
- Identify the causes and seek to close the gender pay gap
- Develop recognised good practice in relation to flexible working policies and work-life balance initiatives
- Examine the impact of childcare/caring roles for both men and women (particularly in rural areas)
- Raise awareness of gender related violence
| Heather Louden | Belfast City Council (Chair) |
|---|---|
| Cllr Betty Campbell | Lisburn City Council (NILGA) |
| Denise Cranston | Business in the Community |
| John Dempsey | Chief Executive Ballymoney Borough Council (SOLACE NI) |
| Norman Dunn | Chief Executive Newtownabbey Borough Council (LGTG) |
| Helen Hall | Newtownabbey Borough Council |
| Bronagh Hinds | Institute of Governance, Queen’s University |
| Adrian Kerr MBE | Local Government Staff Commission |
| Cllr Kate Lagan | Magherafelt District Council (NAC) |
| Cllr Michelle McIlveen MLA | Ards Borough Council (NILGA) |
| Cllr Marian Mathers | Newry & Mourne District Council (NAC) |
| Heather Moorhead | NILGA |
| Michelle Morris | Equality Commission |
| John Hanna | Local Government Staff Commission |
| Secretariat | |
| Diana Stewart | Local Government Staff Commission |
CHAMPIONS
A key feature of “Women in Local Councils” is the appointment of Champions by the 26 district councils, by the five main political parties and by NILGA.
The 37 Champions are committed to maximising the profile of the initiative and participation in the programme of events within their respective areas. They will also assist in identifying and sharing examples of best practice and act as the main point of contact with the Women’s Development Steering Group.
Select this link to view the nominated Champion representing each council
Select this link to view the role specification of a Champion
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
The Declaration of Principles, which was drafted with the assistance of the Equality Commission, was brought to the attention of Councils in December 2005 for formal endorsement.
Select this link to view the Declaration of Principles
