Agenda item

Questions on Notice will be published in a supplementary pack for this meeting.

The following Question on Notice was submitted by a member of the public, Mr T. Burton Fletcher, in advance of the meeting for the consideration of the Mayor:

“As an openly gay father, a parent of a child of mixed heritage, and a Director of Redditch Pride CIC, I am deeply concerned by historic social media posts attributed to the Mayor that have been widely criticised as offensive towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer plus (LGBTQ+) people and people from ethnic minority backgrounds. These posts have received significant public attention and have caused concern among many residents.

Given the Mayor’s responsibility to represent all residents of Redditch regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity, what steps has the Mayor taken to rebuild trust with those communities, and why should residents who feel targeted or excluded by these views have confidence in her ability to represent them impartially?”

In responding to the question, the Mayor acknowledged that concerns had been raised regarding a number of her historic social media posts and apologised for any offence or upset caused. The Mayor explained that the posts had been made several years prior to her entering public office, during a period of undertaking grassroots community work and personal difficulty, and she accepted that greater care should have been taken in the choice of language used.

The Mayor advised that holding public office had provided an opportunity for reflection and learning, particularly regarding the impact of words on others. She reaffirmed her commitment to representing all sections of the community with respect and dignity, regardless of faith, background or sexuality, and apologised if the posts had conveyed a different impression.

In concluding her response, the Mayor stated that she remained committed to engaging with individuals and communities who wished to discuss the matter and to continuing to serve all residents of the Borough.

In a supplementary statement, Mr Burton Fletcher welcomed the Mayor’s apology and extended an invitation for her to attend a community event on 4th July 2026 focusing on the history of LGBTQ+ people. He expressed the hope that the Mayor would attend this and similar events as an opportunity to engage with and learn from communities affected by the historic social media posts.

The following Question on Notice was submitted by Councillor Monica Stringfellow in advance of the meeting for the consideration of the Leader of the Council:

“Will the Leader join me in condemning the racist, homophobic, divisive remarks made by The Mayor and what steps will you take to reassure our diverse community that these comments do not reflect the values of our town?”

In response, the Leader stated that he unequivocally condemned racism, antisemitism, homophobia and discrimination in all its forms, noting that such behaviour had no place in society, local communities or public life. He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to serving all residents fairly and equally and advised that this principle would continue to guide the administration. The Leader further emphasised the importance of bringing communities together, treating all people with dignity and respect, and ensuring that residents could access Council services without fear of prejudice or discrimination. He also stated that equality was a principle that all Members should uphold.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Stringfellow asked how the Council intended to audit its civic policies to protect communities and staff and to ensure that local government remained a safe and welcoming environment.

The Leader advised that a written response would be provided to Councillor Stringfellow.

The final Question on Notice was submitted by Mr J. Freemantle for the consideration of the Leader of the Council:

“Following the recent controversy surrounding the Mayor and allegations of homophobic comments and conduct, many members of the LGBTQ+ community in Redditch are deeply concerned about whether they can have confidence in the Council's commitment to equality, inclusion and support for LGBTQ+ residents.

As Leader of the Council, can you please answer the following:

Does Redditch Borough Council support Redditch PRIDE CIC and the work it does to promote inclusion, visibility and community cohesion across the borough?”

In responding to the question, the Leader confirmed that Redditch Borough Council supported organisations that made a positive contribution to the community, promoted inclusion and brought people together, including Redditch PRIDE CIC. He reiterated the Council’s commitment to treating all residents with dignity, fairness and respect and advised that this commitment was reflected in the Council’s policies, services and conduct as a public authority.

The Leader further stated that all residents should feel valued and respected and assured those present that the Council would continue to serve all members of the community equally, regardless of their background or personal characteristics. He added that the Council remained focused on delivering high-quality services, strengthening communities and ensuring that Redditch remained a welcoming place for everyone.

In a supplementary question, Mr Freemantle extended an invitation to the Leader to attend an event at Redditch Library on 4th July 2026 and advised that further details would be provided by email.