Councillors have now asked officials to moderate the language used in the report before presenting it to another committee meeting for their approval.

One section of the annual equalities report before the policy and resources committee outlined in general terms how sex discrimination is still prevalent.

However, two councillors expressed concern that the report by the equal opportunities officer did not accurately reflect trends in the Moray area.

It stated that, despite legislation, too little has been achieved in eradicating sex discrimination and sexual harassment, unequal pay, pregnancy discrimination, occupational segregation and other gender inequalities.

"Women and men continue to experience disadvantage in the workplace, and boys' and girls' experiences in childhood can be very different, due in part to persistent gender stereotyping and unequal treatment of the sexes," the report added.

Committee chair Councillor Allan Wright said that may be the case in other parts of the country, but he did not believe for a moment that it could refer to Moray.

Councillor Wright (Heldon and Laich) said: "I do not believe that we are in that position, and I do not think there is any need for that to be in the report in the first place if I am being blunt about it.

"It would be a good bit of business done by the council if the language is moderated and concentrates on what is going on in the council, and eliminates the harangue about what is going on in other quarters."

He was backed up by Councillor Stewart Cree (Keith and Cullen) who added: "There's a hectoring tone to that and I think it needs to be looked at.

"It leaves the factual arena and becomes a chide to those who do not have politically correct views. The report is about numbers and facts, and that paragraph is about a perceived history and a perceived view."

The annual equalities reports contains data on the breakdown of the ethnic make-up of the council workforce and job applicants, and gender equality.

Statistics show that of the council's 5,310 employees, 26% are male and 74% are female. Employees who come from an ethnic minority group make up 0.2% of the workforce.

l.carter@northern-scot.co.uk

* View Moray Council meetings by clicking here.

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