Another day, another eyebrow-raiser from a Reform-led council. This time, it’s the local authority in Barnsley, who have sparked ‘surprise and concern’ among rival councillors, following their decision to reject a motion which would enforce DBS checks for all regional representatives.
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Why did a Reform council reject a request for DBS checks?
The background checks are carried out to detect any history of criminal behaviour, and are often used by workplaces with high levels of public responsibility. Earlier this year, the Liberal Democrats proposed bringing these in to vet all councillors – and the motion was finally heard this week.
Despite receiving support from Labour and other party councillors, the Reform bloc comprehensively rejected the proposition. They argue that it is an unnecessary step, as many of their elected members already possess DBS certificates. Reform’s council leader said the motion was merely ‘a gesture’:
“This is a position of trust that we all have and everyone in this room was elected on it. Nobody takes it lightly and I certainly don’t. Being elected itself does not hold a legal duty to hold a DBS certificate. That is the law today – not my opinion.”
“This motion pretends a local job can do the job of Parliament. It asks us to invent a protocol in 12 weeks and write to ministers on a law they are already looking at. That is not safeguarding – that’s your press release. The public can tell the difference between real duty and a gesture.” | William Brown
Councillors blast Reform ‘rejecting transparency’
The rejection has rattled opposition councillors – not least the Lib Dems, who have expressed their outright ‘disappointment’ that the motion was struck down. Dickie Denton, one of the architects of the proposal, went on to accuse Mr. Brown of showing ‘weak and feeble leadership’.
“We are extremely disappointed and surprised. Reform UK campaigned on a promise of greater transparency within the council and when presented with such an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment they have chosen to ignore it.”
“Politics is in a difficult place at the moment throughout the country and actions like this will do nothing to restore public trust in the integrity and transparency of the people who are elected to represent them. It is yet another sign of the weak and feeble leadership.” | Dickie Denton