Written question WQ99482
- Asked by
- Nigel WilliamsReform
- To be answered by
- Counsel General
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to introducing mandatory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for individuals standing for, or serving as, elected members of town, community, and county councils in Wales, particularly in light of their access to vulnerable individuals and private homes?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning (Siân Gwenllian)
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), including the eligibility criteria for DBS checks, is reserved to the UK Government. Before becoming candidates for local government elections, individuals must declare that they are not disqualified in any of the ways set out in legislation and guidance, which includes, but is not limited to, having a recent criminal conviction or by being subject to Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Finally, we would expect political parties to vet their own candidates before the candidacy is announced.