Peterborough councillors agree to undergo compulsory DBS checks following vote

Disclosure and Barring Service, commonly known as DBS checks, will be brought in for all councillors after councillors voted in favour of them, 45 to 2 (with seven abstentions.

Under the new protocols that have now been passed, those councillors involved in sensitive or ‘restricted roles’ will be subject to enhanced DBS checks.

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.

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.

There was widespread support for the proposals across the room.

Council Leader Shabina Qayyum said: “The public facing nature of this role and the responsibilities of that confer that there in a collective responsibility to safeguard. Under that safeguarding role, we are all corporate parents in looking after some of the most vulnerable children in the city.

“It is important that the public have the reassurance that we have that enhanced DBS.”

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Christian Hogg said: “When you take the role as councillor you are taking on a role of responsibility for the community. You are sometimes invited into the homes of people and they assume that comes with a layer of protection because you have the council badge.

"It is really important that members of the public know that their councillors have had these checks done.”

Conservative Group Leader Wayne Fitzgerald said that he supported the idea of DBS checks but spoke against the protocols that the council was planning to implement.

He said: “I personally support the principle and I have an enhanced DBS myself. What I have a problem with is the protocol that seeks to circumvent the individual’s right of choice by restricting those members without one.

"It doesn’t sit right because the electorate vote for councillors and they don't specify what they can and can’t do. What we’re now doing is saying a person can be elected but told they can’t do certain roles, not by law but by protocol.

Green Group Leader Heather Skibsted added: “I can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to have it but we are public servants and we are in all sorts of situations we can’t predict. I think it is essential.”