Councillors urged to get DBS checks in Walsall

Figures showed that almost half the elected members in Walsall had failed to undergo either a basic or full DBS check during the last four years.

Members of Walsall Council’s standards committee recommended authority monitoring officer Tony Cox write to councillors who hadn’t complied to remind them to do so and explain their importance.

A report to the committee said 29 out of 60 councillors had failed to have a check carried out, although Mr Cox added some were now responding and getting them done.

Deputy Leader Adrian Andrew said they were introduced in 2016 in response to concerns about sleaze and conduct of politicians nationally.

“The council can’t make it mandatory but people need to do it as a reassurance to our residents. It’s not infallible and we do need to be careful.

“But quite honestly, if people don’t want to fill it in, they’ve clearly got something to hide.

“It might need a bit of a reminder as to why we do it because since 2016, there’s been a hell of a lot of churn in elected members.

“It’s not about being big brother – it’s about that reassurance to our residents.”

Councillor Abdus Nazir added: “I think it should be 100 per cent – there’s no beating around the bush here.

“If there are members who are not willing to do this check then clearly eyebrows need to be raised as to why.”

Councillor Rose Burley said: “I think it’s extremely important because of some of the activities we carry out, not just in this bubble here.

“It’s out there when we are doing our surgeries and calling on people’s homes. We owe it to the public we go through this.”

And committee chair Pard Kaur said: “I would urge councillors, if they haven’t done them already, to get them in within the next fortnight.

“It’s a five minute form, it doesn’t take that long, it doesn’t take that much information and it is easy to submit.”