FORWARD thinking Redditch borough council has received an award from campaigning group Stonewall in recognition of the measures it has put in place to help local lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans residents.
It made for that rare thing – a joyous full council meeting – which also saw awards going to key members of the borough’s overview and scrutiny committee which formed a task force to craft the measures.
The recipients were Councillors David Thain (Con, Crabbs Cross), Gay Hopkins (Con, Headless Cross & Oakenshaw), Natalie Brookes (Lab, Batchley & Brockhill) and the Mayor Councillor Joe Baker, who has made the Stonewall slogan of ‘Acceptance without Exception’ a watchword.
A ‘special hero’ award went to the committee’s democratic services officer Jess Bayley for her empathy and professionalism in guiding the task force.
Coun Hopkins said: “Can I just say how proud I am to receive this award because the task force we did was very emotional and we learned an awful lot about the situation and the humilation often faced by people.
“This is a modern council and I’m proud we have this attitude towards LGBT and we are doing something about it.”
The task force came up with six key recommendations demonstrating the authority’s commitment to equality and community support as well as the health and well being of the LGBT community which were all accepted by the council.
Speakers included Peter Willis, Coun Baker’s partner, and Daniel Smith of Stonewall who had travelled up from London to present the organisation’s award to the authority.
Council leader Coun Bill Hartnett said: “It was easy to accept all the recommendations because they were all the right things to do. We are a very diverse town and do a lot to promote inclusion.”
Mayor Baker added: “I thought this would be a nice way to end our civic yearand just show the hard work and dedication this council has shown and every councillor should be proud of being a member of Redditch borough council.”
Worcestershire council council has refused to join the Stonewall Index.
