A motion put forward by Councillor Michael Lilley (Ryde East – Green Party) calling for all elected Isle of Wight Councillors to be DBS checked was defeated at last night’s (Wednesday’s) Full Council meeting by 19 votes against 9 – with 4 abstentions.
Councillor Lilley has highlighted the issue of when a child comes into care due to neglect or abuse, the Isle of Wight Council becomes the Corporate Parent. Put simply, the term ‘Corporate Parent’ means the collective responsibility of the council, elected members, employees and partner agencies, for providing the best possible care and safeguarding for the children who are looked after by the council.
All employees with responsibility for children undertake a criminal record check via the Government’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Currently only Isle of Wight Council Cabinet members responsible for children and vulnerable adults and those on foster/adoption panels have to undertake a DBS check. Councillor Lilley has sought for all elected Councillors to undertake checks.
During yesterday’s meeting, Councillor Lilley said:
“We sadly live in a world where it is becoming a less safer place for our children and we as Councillors need to reassure the people we represent that we are safe. It is a sad fact there have been past locally elected representatives who have been convicted of child abuse and that is why the DBS is important as mine states clearly to the words – Police Records of Convictions, Cautions, Reprimands and Warnings – NONE RECORDED. I am sure all my colleagues would have the same words and it is sad that we need to undertake this exercise but it is our duty as local community leaders to ensure Island children and vulnerable adults are safe. I urge you to support this motion.”
Despite the call for DBS checks to be undertaken, the motion was shot down.
Speaking about the outcome of last night’s vote, Councillor Lilley has said:
“I am extremely disappointed and it is up to the Conservative administration to explain why they voted it down. They will I am sure argue the ambiguity within the law in regard to who should have DBS and who should not.
Article continues below this advertisement “There is clearly an anomaly in regard to safeguarding procedures and elected members’ role as Corporate parents. I thought it was important to put this issue out into the open and have a strong public debate. I believe as elected members we could have made a historic decision and sadly the opportunity was lost.
“I will bring a motion back in the future and in the meantime Ryde East residents which I represent know I as a Councillor have a valid and current DBS certificate. I urge all residents across the Island to urge their local Councillor to do the same if he/she has not done so already and I intend to launch a DBS Councillor Campaign possibly titled ‘ I am checked are you?.”
