Welsh Conservatives today urged the Welsh Labour Government not to repeat its ‘golden goodbye’ policy following the announcement of a new panel to make recommendations to improve diversity in local government.

Ahead of the 2004 local government elections, the Welsh Labour Government offered sitting councillors up to £20,000 each to stand down in favour of new blood.

Janet Finch-Saunders AM, Shadow Minister for Local Government, said, “The under-representation of women, disabled people, ethnic minorities and young people is a problem in local government, as it is in Westminster, the European Parliament and to a lesser extent, the National Assembly.

“I welcome the establishment of this panel to examine the obstacles to making elected councillors more representative of the people they serve.

“The complex issues surrounding the underrepresentation of women deserve detailed consideration and sustainable measures to make politics more inclusive rather than failed quick fixes.

“Labour’s wasteful ‘golden goodbye’ policy of pay-offs to sitting councillors cost hard-pressed taxpayers £1.6million but made little difference to representation.

“I hope pay-offs to already well-remunerated councillors will be ruled out in favour of positive changes to the way local government operates to make it a more viable and attractive prospect for women, ethnic minorities, young people and other under-represented groups.”