Go, sister: woman councillor stands down after being left out of the loop by ‘bigger, stronger’ men
Warwick District Sports Awards 2009 Player Senior Female: Sarah Jane Perry presented by Cultural Portfolio Holder Cllr Sue Gallagher. Sportsawards_LC_Nov76
BEING left out of meetings concerning an ongoing dispute with Racing Club Warwick was the reason why a district councillor resigned from her executive role.
Cllr Sue Gallagher (Con, Leek Wootton) recently stood down from her post as the councillor responsible for policy on culture and she gave her reasons for this at a full council meeting last Thursday.
Initially Cllr Gallagher was annoyed about what she believes was a “lack of communication” and “lack of leadership” over the decision to move responsibility for open spaces, parks and gardens and children’s play areas to neighbourhood services - a move she nonetheless had “no problem” with.
But the councillor said the overriding factor was that she had been left out of meetings with Racing Club Warwick over an ongoing lease dispute - an issue she had been involved with for several years.
Cllr Gallagher, whom various councillors have praised for her work, said: “Suddenly there were meetings I knew nothing about which were taken up by ‘bigger, stronger’ men and that was undermining.
“The whole situation was handled badly - there shouldn’t be meetings without the portfolio holder - that is part of their job.”
During the meeting, Cllr Judy Falp (Ind, Whitnash) raised concerns with council leader Michael Doody about inequality on the council’s executive now there is only one woman on the committee following Cllr Gallagher’s resignation.
Cllr Doody (Con, Radford Semele) said: “I believe the executive should have the best talent on view and it would be totally wrong to say because Cllr Gallagher gave up the position she should be replaced by another woman.
“It should be terrible for all women because you’re asking for the executive to give preferential treatment. You wanted equal rights, you got them, so don’t come bleating about it.”
Working with the authority’s cultural services department, Cllr Gallagher oversaw projects such as the refurbishment of the Spa Centre and the Linden Arches restoration.
She will continue to represent the Leek Wootton ward.
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Thursday 23 May 2013
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