Peterborough councillors could face compulsory DBS checks in standards drive
Councillors in Peterborough could be made to undergo DBS checks in a new move by standards chiefs.
New plans are being considered to make basic Disclosure and Barring Service checks compulsory for all of Peterborough City Council’s 56 elected councilors.
In addition, those involved in sensitive or ‘restricted roles’ could be told to take enhanced DBS checks.
The proposals will be considered by the council’s constitution and ethics committee when it meets on July 27.
The move follows a government instruction to local authorities that enhanced criminal record checks should be made mandatory for all councillors who are being considered for appointment to any committee involved in decisions on the provisions of children’s services or services for vulnerable adults.
But a report to the committee states: “There is currently no legal or policy mechanism by which councillors can be required to undertake a DBS check.
"The committee is now asked to consider a formal protocol which would ask all members to undertake checks, and for certain positions to be restricted to those with a valid enhanced DBS check.”
The move is supported by the council’s executive director of children's services and the executive director of adult social services who will tell the committee that councillors should undergo a basic DBS check and, in ‘restricted roles’ an enhanced check.
Councillors will be told the move will promote and maintain high standards of conduct and enhance the safeguarding processes of the council.
Those needing to undergo enhanced DBS checks will include all those involved in mayoral roles, members of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee and members of the Prevention, Independence and Resilience Scrutiny Committee as well as the Armed Forces Champion.
What happens if a DBS check reveals an offence?
The existence of a criminal record or other information revealed because of a DBS check will not automatically debar a Member from holding office.
If the disclosure information raises concerns, it will be discussed with the individual about whether changes should be made to that person’s role.
If there is a change of circumstances for a councillor between obtaining a DBS check and the next election, that person must notify the council’s monitoring officer of the conviction within 28 days.
Members’ disclosures will be considered as personal information and not disclosed in freedom of information requests.