Decision details
Notice of Motion - Gender Neutral Language in the Council
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: Item Called In
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Decision:
At the meeting of the Council held on 24th October 2019, Councillors received a Notice of Motion relating to Gender Neutral Language in the Council. The motion was proposed by Councillor McDonald and seconded by Cllr Dent (this had been referred to Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order 8.4).
Resolved:-
1. That male universals, such as ‘chairman’, be removed from the constitution, policies and all written and verbal communications and be replaced with gender-neutral terms, such as ‘chair’.
2. Desist from making reference to a person’s marital status unless they expressly request it is included.
3. That gender-neutral language be used where an individual’s sex or social gender are not relevant or not known.
4. That these changes be communicated to all departments and members of staff within Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.
Reason for decision:
To respond to the motion.
Other Options:
The Cabinet could respond to the motion in a different way.
Note: This is an Executive function.
Eligible for call-in to: Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee
Cabinet Member: Cllr Gilbert
Publication date: 08/11/2019
Date of decision: 05/11/2019
Decided at meeting: 05/11/2019 - Cabinet
Issue status: The decision is currently being reconsidered
This decision has been called in by:
- Councillor Stephen Aylen who writes for consideration by Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee"
- Councillor Keith Evans who writes for consideration by Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee"
- Councillor Helen Boyd who writes for consideration by Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee"
- Councillor Fay Evans who writes for consideration by Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee"
- Councillor Meg Davidson who writes for consideration by Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee"
- Councillor Lesley Salter who writes for consideration by Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee"
Accompanying Documents: