THE role of suits, ties and twin sets in preserving Appleby's centuries-old traditions and giving confidence in community leaders has come up for debate.

Father of Appleby Town Council Keith Morgan raised for discussion the idea of giving councillors a dress code for their monthly meetings in the historic Moot Hall, and other civic events.

Coun Morgan told The Westmorland Gazette he had been struck last September by the fact that only four male councillors were wearing a tie, while others were attired more casually.

"If these people are leaders of the community, I think the community has every right to expect them to appear to be taking it seriously," said Coun Morgan, who has served on the council for almost 20 years.

"I raised it so the council would have an opportunity to discuss it and see whether they want to put a demand, for example, that the men of the council wear suits or the ladies of the council wear twin sets or whatever."

Coun Morgan said the Moot Hall, the venue for council meetings, was "a formal arena" with a lengthy history. "In Appleby we are very proud of our traditions and I think we ought to, from time to time, look to see whether or not we are letting these traditions be diluted."

Appleby town councillors discussed the dress code idea this week. "I think the overall feeling was that people should be presentable, but beyond that the ability to be there, and quality of debate, really took precedence over things like appearance," Coun Morgan told the Gazette.

"I'm not entirely convinced that people really gave it as much consideration as they might.

"I think it's made people think about it, and I suspect that people will be aware of it anyway."

He added that, interestingly, one or two members who do not always wear a tie did so at this week's meeting.

Coun Morgan, who will continue to wear a suit to council meetings, said the issue of dress code came to the fore at some town and parish councils recently. Also, last year, a councillor in the South of England embarked upon legal action after his colleagues objected to his wearing shorts to council meetings. He later retired from the council and emigrated.

Feedback: Should people in public office, like councillors, maintain certain standards in their attire, or is that an old-fashioned view, and should we simply be happy they are prepared to do public work? E-mail your views to wgnewsdesk@kendal.newsquest.co.uk by clicking the link below, post your comments in our online forum or write to Letters to the Editor, Westmorland Gazette, 22 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4NE.

January 17, 2003 13:00