Reform’s ’embarrassing’ Walsall Council dress code proposal rejected following controversy

A dress code proposed by the Reform leader of Walsall Council has been rejected.

The “clumsy” policy had sparked controversy and was described as “showboating” at a meeting on Monday (October 19).

Leader Councillor Elaine Williams had put forward the code to be adopted by all members.

It propsoed a general ban on sportswear, shorts, any clothing with “slogans and political messaging”, and hats and caps.

But the most controversial part was a number of items listed under an “exceptional circumstances” section of the policy.

It said councillors should notify the relevant chairperson in advance of any meeting if they planned to wear religious or cultural dress, items worn for medical reasons, military medals, small Union Flag or Saint George’s Cross pin badges or the Remembrance poppy.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked Councillor Williams whether she would notify chairs if she planned to wear a poppy ahead of meetings in the coming weeks, but no response was provided.

Following the upset, the leader proposed a last-minute amendment to the dress code which removed the military medals, flag pin badges and Remembrance poppy from the “exceptional circumstances” section of the policy.

The amendment meant councillors still had to notify meeting chairs if they planned to wear religious or cultural dress, or items worn for medical reasons.

At the standards committee meeting on Monday Councillor Aftab Nawaz raised concerns about that section.

He asked: “Are you as an administration seriously suggesting that somebody wearing a scarf or a turban should notify the chair person to get permission? Because that’s how this reads.”

He and Councillor Christine Edwards said the dress code was “unnecessary” as councillors already dressed appropriately.

Councillor Edwards added: “I don’t think there’s any need for the dress code to go as far as this does because it’s a really slippery slope.”

Councillor Sawra Shmim moved that it be rejected as it was not enforceable even if approved.

Members also heard from the council’s monitoring officer that the policy could expose the authority to legal challenge.

At the meeting, Councillor Peter Harrison admitted that the proposed code was a “straight copy” of one implemented at Reform-led Staffordshire County Council.

Reform councillors Joshua Dixon and Roy Tandy both supported the dress code, with Councillor Dixon saying it “demonstrates professionalism”.

Councillor Nawaz described the policy as “showboating” and “quite embarrassing”.

He said: “I think it’s a total mess. Bringing it forward is a horrendous idea. It would have been sufficient to say a single line of ‘we expect councillors to dress appropriately’.

“But to actually mention things like religious clothing and cultural dress; it’s quite embarrassing to see that even the poppy was included in the original report. The officers have said we can’t enforce it anyway, it’s just showboating.”

Councillor Edwards suggested the policy should go back to the leader for adjustment as it had “too many flimsy areas”.

The policy was eventually rejected by the committee and a new motion was put forward by Councillor Nawaz.

He suggested, in line with comments from Councillor Harrison, that all political group leaders get together to discuss any future dress code.

The vote was split, Councillor Harrison had the casting vote, and he voted in favour.