Warwickshire councillor pushes for all officials to undergo DBS checks

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 14:31 · Archive

A Warwickshire County Council member is campaigning for all elected officials to undergo and publish criminal record and drugs tests.

A Warwickshire County Council member is intensifying his campaign for all elected officials to undergo and publicly disclose enhanced criminal record checks and drugs tests. Councillor Scott Cameron maintains that he and fellow members should complete an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check given their responsibilities as corporate parents of children in council care and their frequent invitations to schools and care facilities.

Cameron submitted a question to council leader Councillor George Finch at a full council meeting, though the matter was not addressed due to other business. Finch's written reply outlined legal constraints that restrict the council's ability to require such checks or arrange them for all councillors, even those willing to participate. He noted that enhanced checks can only be requested by individuals demonstrating they seek them in connection with a qualifying role.

The council confirmed it could not commit to requiring enhanced DBS checks for all members or compel any councillor to publish their results, but stated that councillors are free to do so if they wish. Cabinet members and those on fostering, corporate parenting and adoption panels already complete enhanced checks, though their results can only be disclosed to those authorised to receive them. Cameron has shared a photograph of his own clear certificate online.

How it is being reported

• Calls for councillors to undergo DBS and drugs tests 'if you've got nothing to hide'A Warwickshire County Council member is pushing for all elected officials to undergo and publish criminal record DBS checks and drug tests, arguing they should be a basic requirement for those in positions of trust.CoventryLive · 18 Oct, 14:00
• Push for all Warwickshire County Council councillors to undergo criminal record and drugs testsA Warwickshire councillor is set to ramp up his quest for all elected officials to undergo and publish criminal record and drugs tests.Leamington Courier · 16 Oct, 14:50

In this story: Warwickshire County Council · Scott Cameron · George Finch · Coleshill South & Arley · Bedworth Central

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem