Calls made for more councillors to be subject to mandatory criminal record checks

Walsall Council’s standards committee was told 11 of the current 60 councillors had failed to undertake a valid DBS check within the last four years.

While it is not a legal requirement, the authority agreed to make it mandatory for all elected members to carry out a basic check once every four years, along with an annual declaration on whether there had been any changes since.

Councillors who sit on committees which makes decisions relating to vulnerable children have to undertake advanced DBS checks.

But, at a meeting on Monday, members recommended the advanced checks be extended to councillors working with vulnerable adults – in line with a recommendation made to Government by advisers.

Monitoring officer Tony Cox will also write to those who haven’t undergone a basic check to see why they have yet to do so.

Committee members said the checks were vital with some even calling for advanced DBS being a required for every single councillor – a move which officers said would be considered disproportionate.

Councillor Ed Lee said: “We are all in contact with vulnerable children and adults and we should all have enhanced DBS checks.

“When you see that badge with ‘councillor’ on there, you would like to think that person has been through the most rigorous of checks and has had the enhanced DBS.

“That should prove you are worthy of holding that position so I think we should all be having the maximum.”

Councillor Hajran Bashir added: “Everyone should have enhanced DBS checks purely because we as elected members have contact with vulnerable residents all the time.

“I didn’t realise not everyone had an enhanced DBS check. All organisations who have contact with people out there you would have it – not having one, I don’t feel protected and I don’t think the council is either.

“So we’re just waiting for a serious incident to happen and everyone’s reputation will be down the drain.”