A MOTION put to Barnsley Council calling for all councillors to take a DBS check will go to the next meeting of full council after time ran out at last week’s full council.

Lib Dem councillors Dickie Denton and Carl Snowden put forward the motion in regards to the importance of safeguarding.

It called for all councillors to undertake a DBS check.

The motion said: “The position of a councillor is one of trust and privilege and therefore all councillors are expected to exhibit the highest standards of integrity, transparency and lawful conduct.

“Under the Children Act 1989 all councillors are corporate parents and with that comes significant responsibilities.

“The position of a councillor very often includes the appointment to committees or working groups that make decisions relating to and interacting with children, vulnerable people and other sensitive matters.

“Confidence in councillors and local government depends upon the public being assured that the right checks and safeguarding measures are in place and transparent.

“The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is the established provider of criminal record checks on a number of levels.

“Some councils require all councillors to undergo a basic DBS check, and to mandate enhanced DBS checks for all members appointed to committees discharging education or social services functions.”

If approved, the costs for the basic check would be paid for by councillors but any enhanced check costs would be borne by the council.

Coun Denton told the Chronicle: “Across public life, checks and safeguards are accepted as part of reasonable practice.

“We don’t believe that councillors should place themselves above this.

“If we expect others to meet high standards then we should set the tone.

“DBS Certification is a recognised standard used by schools, employers, charities, community groups and many other organisations around the country.

“It provides the public with some level of confidence in the people in whom they place both their trust and, in some cases, the care of beloved family members.

“We will be asking all councillors to take ownership of the vital measure and obtain certificates.”

Coun Snowden added: “As a new councillor I was surprised and concerned that DBS checking wasn’t required.

“As councillors, we’re invited into people’s homes and lives.

“This is a prudent step to showing we are who we say we are and that we are upstanding, trustworthy, members of society, and meeting the trust residents put in us.”