Sportswear set for ban under council dress code

Councillors face abiding by a strict dress code under plans being put forward by a local authority.

Members of Staffordshire County Council would mostly be expected to wear smart casual clothing "that reflects the dignity of their role" and formal attire while attending civic events, including remembrance services.

They would be banned from wearing sportswear, as well as clothing with slogans and political messaging, at meetings and civic events.

The dress code is among the proposed changes to the council's constitution that are due to be discussed at a meeting next week.

The prohibited clothing items include shorts, unless they were being worn on medical grounds, along with hats and caps not worn for religious or health reasons.

Lanyards, badges, rosettes and flags containing political messages would also be banned, although pin badges of the union flag or St George's Cross, as well as poppies, would be allowed.

The proposed changes were presented to the council's audit and standards committee on Tuesday, where members agreed to recommend them to the full council meeting next Thursday.

The authority's monitoring officer Kate Loader, said the purpose of the changes was to ensure the constitution remained "current, practical and fit for purpose".

She added: "The code will need to be interpreted and applied by chairpersons, with common sense and proportionality."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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