Feedback on a Council Debate on the Wearing of Robes

A meeting of the Borough Council on 14th December took some considerable time to debate whether or not to continue the practice of wearing robes at business meetings. Liberal Democrat councillors have not worn robes at business meetings for almost 20 years, but consider them entirely appropriate to wear at ceremonial occasions, e.g. at Remembrance Day ceremonies, and at important civic functions.

A motion to the council put by Cllr Colin Taylor tried to persuade councillors that the tradition of wearing robes at business meetings though, in itself and at the present time, not expensive, was time-consuming and potentially very expensive in the future. There was criticism from others of the purchase of a new robe for the Chief Executive which had cost £1100. Cllr Anna Jones said the cost was "outrageous" in the current economic climate and that the council should have considered cheaper options which are known to be available. Cllr Taylor commented that some robes were literally "falling apart at the seams". Cllr Taylor added that though the robes themselves were part of local tradition and the wearing of them should not be abandoned, they should be used for ceremony and not in the course of business.

Some other opposition councillors supported Cllr Taylor's motion, but at least one Conservative councillor and the one Labour member do wear robes for the full council business meeting. Cllr Nigel Pavey said he felt that that wearing a robe at a business meeting set councillors apart from the residents they are elected to represent. "I'm just a resident as well" he said "but one who has been elected to represent the views of others and I don't feel comfortable wearing a robe to discuss council business because I feel it sets me apart from the people I represent". Cllr Julie Morris said at the meeting "This tradition was begun in 1937 and is simply not appropriate in 2010 plus wearing a robe to discuss council business I feel diminishes its importance when worn at a truly ceremonial event".

The ruling Residents' Party voted to continue the practice of wearing robes at business meetings, despite the fact that at least one councillor referred to it as "fancy dress". There were amused chuckles from the opposition back row when it was realised that two of the eight local companies who had presented the original 11 red robes to the council in the 1930s were local undertakers.