DBS Checks for Councillors Rejected by Reform Council
At the Full Council meeting on the 24th of September, the motion put forward by the Liberal Democrat group requesting that all councillors undergo a voluntary DBS check was rejected by the Reform group, despite overwhelming public support.
This motion asked that councillors undergo a voluntary basic DBS check, that a report would go to the standards committee, and would be at no cost to the taxpayer. This would also follow the practice of other councils, enhancing safeguarding for residents.
Cllr Denton, who proposed the motion, said:
"Reform UK campaigned on a promise of greater transparency. When presented with such an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment they have chosen to ignore it. Feedback from the people of Barnsley across social media, and on the streets, is universally in favour of DBS checks - most are astonished that it isn't already in place, they note that all public servants require at least a DBS check, why don't elected officials?"
This also marks a further promise broken by the Reform group, who explicitly stated that they were committed on practical measures to strengthen safeguarding.
Reform's own supporters are now asking why, and stating the common sense point that public figures in positions of power should be held up to a higher standard.
Cllr Denton continued:
"I don't intend to speculate why Reform didn't support the motion. The people of Barnsley can draw their own conclusions, and on the integrity, transparency and honesty of Barnsley Reform. Their own words stated they were committed on practical measures to strengthen safeguarding - when this was repeated in the town hall, they daren't even look each-other in the eyes."
Reform published the statement below on their Facebook page
It doesn't make much sense to us.
And despite their talk of “Free Speech” they have, as they often do, shut down the comments on it.
Some of their cllrs stood up in the chamber to say why they were going to vote this down and the link is here to watch it.
barnsley.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1098012/start_time/7620000
