Political correctness in the council chamber has spun out of control, a councillor claimed today.

Castle Point member Enid Isaacs (Con, Victoria) was speaking after councillors insisted on calling anyone in charge of a committee a chair rather than a chairman or a chairwoman.

Mrs Isaacs said: "I am not a piece of furniture and if I was ever in the position of being the chairman of any committee I would not want to be referred to as something wooden.

"The word man is a suffix to both human and woman. There is nothing sexist about it.

"There is nothing sexist with calling a woman a chairwoman or even a chairman.

"When women in the last century fought to enter male dominated universities and professions they were quite happy to take on titles like doctor and master which had male connotations.

"I am very pleased the Echo is going to continue calling the heads of committees the chairman."

But Castle Point Council is determined to rid itself of all gender-related terms. Chief executive Barry Rollinson said: "It is considered a reminder should be issued to all council departments for non-gender terms to be used in all council documents and dealings with council customers."

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