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.”