Calls for all West Northamptonshire councillors to undergo DBS checks following recommendations from national inquiry

Calls for all West Northamptonshire councillors to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks to fulfil their duties have been put to the local authority.

Ana Savage Gunn addressed West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) at full council last week (March 21). She said that “abuse hides in dark corners” and asked councillors to be fully transparent and compliant with increased vetting procedures.

WNC has said they anticipate extending DBS checks to all serving councillors.

DBS checks determine whether a person is suitable to work in their role based on any past criminal convictions, court orders or injunctions. Examples of professions that require these checks include teachers, social workers, medical professionals and civil servants.

Her calls for heightened vetting follows the preliminary recommendations from the Angiolini Inquiry, which was commissioned to uncover circumstances that led to the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer. It makes 16 recommendations for policing which relate to vetting procedures, the handling of misconduct allegations, and the way forces investigate sexual offences.

Ms Savage Gunn said: “PC Couzens hid in plain sight because others failed to shine a light into his darkness when they had a chance.

“Those in public office should be vetted. Northamptonshire Police have bravely offered to be one of the first forces to be forensically vetted.”

Earlier this year, local government minister Simon Hoare wrote to leaders of all local authorities in England calling for all members serving on committees with responsibilities for children’s services or services for vulnerable adults to adopt vetting checks as best practice.

Ms Savage Gunn continued: “WNC will obviously, I’m sure, be implementing both recommendations.

“Northamptonshire people have been embarrassed in national media by scandals. Mr Bone, the chief constable Mr Adderley and recently the Commissioner Stephen Mold. We have suffered the horror, the shame and the national ridicule.

“I ask that all councillors be DBS checked and those making decisions with reference to vulnerable persons have an Enhanced DBS check. I call on the leader of the council to spearhead this initiative as a matter of urgency.

“Those that stand idly by create the shadows in which abuse thrives. Shine a spotlight into your shadows.”

Councillor Jonathan Nunn, leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said: “DBS checks are already in place for all relevant staff, and for councillors closely involved in services for children and vulnerable adults, such as the Cabinet Members. We anticipate extending this to all councillors.”