Oldham Council DBS fiasco continues as Liberal Democrat Leader demands answers
The Leader of Oldham Council’s Liberal Democrat Opposition councillor Howard Sykes MBE has once again blasted Oldham Council bosses after Council officers confirmed that less than half of the Borough’s councillors have up to date DBS checks.
DBS stands for Disclosure and Barring Service. A DBS check is a way for employers check your criminal record, to help decide whether you are a suitable person to work for them. This includes deciding whether it is suitable for you to work with children or vulnerable adults. Something you would think Oldham Council would be very keen on!
Responding to questions from councillor Sykes, the Council originally stated that the number of councillors with current DBS checks was 13 out of 60. The Council later revised that number to 26.
Councillor Sykes said, “It has taken weeks to get answers to very basic questioning on this issue and even then, no one has followed it up with me as promised and I last reminded them on 23 February 24. The Council clearly does not have a handle on this at all. This is basic due diligence and to have less than half of the councillors without a current DBS check is just unacceptable.”
“I have written to the Chief Executive and the Council Leader about this, and I have had to chase officers for weeks on end to get answers. It is not good enough. I want to know what the Council is doing to bring the outstanding councillors up to date and when they aim to have that work completed.”
NOTES:
More from Councillor Sykes on Councillor DBS checks
Council bosses slammed as only 13 of 60 Oldham Councillors found to have a valid DBS check – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)
Letter from Councillor Sykes to Oldham’s Chief Executive – 1st Feb 24
RE: DBS checks for elected members
Dear Mr Catherall and councillor Shah,
I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the number of elected members without an up-to-date DBS check.
As you will be aware, just 13 of Oldham’s 60 councillors have current DBS checks.
This is completely unacceptable and must be addressed immediately.
Therefore, what actions will you take to ensure due diligence is carried out and by what date can we expect completed DBS checks on all elected members?
I look forward to your response.
Yours – Councillor Howard Sykes MBE
Reply from Oldham Council 02/02/24 – despite a
I will provide a further update next week about the issues you have raised and how we will respond to them.It is not a legal requirement that councillors have a DBS check. However, Oldham Council expects serving elected members to have a check and provides them with information about how to apply for these as part of its councillor induction programme.
Unfortunately, the information that the council provided to Councillor Sykes earlier this week was inaccurate.
According to the council’s records 26 councillors have had a check since May 2023. Another three councillors have an existing check on the council’s system but dated before May 2023.
Reminder 23/02/24 – still no response
Three weeks now, not the one promised and not aware of any further response?
Hope to hear from you soon.
Best wishes – Councillor Howard Sykes MBE