Recalcitrant Councils

By Georgia Testa

After the Supreme Court ruling, we all expected that the only work left to be done on single sex spaces and services was to be watchful. The sunny uplands were here. We had won! Councils and all organisations would now fall in line, obey the law and start implementing the ruling. In the case of Councils, at least, why wouldn’t they? They are public bodies. But, as we all know, we were wrong.

The story from Leeds is not unique, unfortunately. Leeds WRN wrote to Leeds City Council in August 2025, requesting confirmation that they were amending their policies and services to comply with the law, and received a brush off - yes, they were aware of the ruling, were continuing to follow the law, but were awaiting the updated Code of Practice.

Let’s leave aside the condescending comment ‘we are aware of the law’, and the frankly inaccurate statement they continue to follow the law, inaccurate because they knew they would need to amend at least some of their services and practices in order to comply with the law. Let’s focus on their need to wait for an updated Code of Practice. They thought it was their trump card.

Leeds WRN replied to point out that the EHRC’s position was that: "Employers and other duty-bearers must follow the law and should take appropriate specialist legal advice where necessary." And asked them to provide details of the review they were undertaking.

And then…silence.

So, in January this year, we were given permission for a deputation to the Council. We reminded them that the “Prime Minister confirmed that the law must be upheld, and the EHRC had reminded public bodies that duty-bearers must follow the law. Waiting for a new code is not a lawful position.” We expected heckling or people walking out, as had happened with other Councils. Instead, we had a minority who gave us a standing ovation. I was there. I delivered the deputation speech. And I had hope. But we know what hope does!

Their response came in February, and it was the same as their response to us in 2025. We are aware of the ruling, we continue to comply with the law, we are awaiting the updated Code of Practice. So, pointing out, again, that waiting was not a lawful position, had no effect.

I was deflated. It hurts when you bang your head against a wall.

But then I listened to Akua Reindorf who was the guest on the weekly WRN zoom. And I got angry and motivated. And I wrote a letter. It’s measured but doesn’t pull any punches. There are professional ways of saying - stop fannying around! And Bridget Phillipson came to our rescue by stating on Sky TV that organisations didn't have to wait for the updated Code of Practice and that the Supreme Court ruling was crystal clear  - who’d have thought it?

Read the letter here.

Will the letter have the effect of changing their position? Probably not, immediately. They are digging their heels in. But it’s part of a chipping away that will eventually bear fruit. They must know that we won’t give up. If other local groups send something similar to their Councils, it will add to that cumulative effect. Let’s do it! After all, our unlikely ‘saviour’ Bridget Phillipson has said that waiting is not an option. Let’s stamp all over their trump card.