CRB Checks for Thanet District Councillors

Local Labour MP, Steve Ladyman, has asked what Thanet's Tory councillors have to fear from Criminal Record checks following their decision to turn down a request from Thanet District Councils Labour Group that all Councillors should be automatically checked.
Speaking from Westminster, Steve Ladyman said "I am astounded by the attitude of the ruling Conservative Group and can only ask what they have to hide?
Councillors are in a position of trust, they are responsible for our council taxes and for making important decisions on things like planning where their probity has to be guaranteed. If someone has a minor misdemeanour in the past then that shouldn't disbar them from public life but the senior officers of the Council and their Group leader ought to know about it.
Of course, if the misdemeanour is serious, involves major dishonesty, violence, indecency or offences against children then the public should be told and such people shouldn't be councillors."
"One of their excuses for avoiding these checks is that Thanet Council doesn't have responsibility for children in schools. But they do have responsibility for sports and leisure facilities like swimming pools and playing fields and will often find themselves visiting those facilities. Someone with a perverted interest in children would have a perfect excuse to use their position as a Councillor to hang around changing rooms and places were children play and they will, as people with a respected position in society, be invited to events with children. It's just a sensible precaution to have people checked in these circumstances."
"The Tories really need to think again, and I am grateful to Richard Nicholson and the Labour Group for raising this important issue. Richard has asked that members of the Labour Group are checked - the Tories and the Independents should do the same - and if that means we find some skeletons in the closet then so be it."

Labours Deputy Leader Clive Hart added

"As a County Council Member I have been CRB checked, but as District Councillor, I have been at events where I and a number of District Councillor's were surrounded by primary school children.

There are many examples where District Councillors come into contact with children and vulnerable adults through their District Councillor roles.

The fact is, we all know that there are vulnerable people in Thanet who welcome us into their homes simply because we are Councillors and in these circumstances it is essential, both for the vulnerable people concerned, and the community in general, that there is at least an element of safeguard and a CRB check would go some way to providing this.

The report to Council explains that there would be no cost to TDC if Councillors submitted to CRB checks and at it also explains quite clearly that having CRB checks would strengthen our 'community leadership' role and send a clear message to the wider community on the values held by the council.

The comment in the report that 'if CRB checks were implemented any disclosures that may emerge could have significant implications' sums up the situation perfectly and if your Conservative administration refuses this request from our Labour Group of councillors the public will no doubt draw their own conclusions!"