Huntley trial highlights concerns over staff vetting

Members heard that it was taking up to 50 days for police clearance in many cases and yet the trial of school caretaker Ian Huntley at the Old Bailey for the murder of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman showed that their checks were often flawed, said Ian Dobie (Con, Haydon Wick), the deputy council leader.

"Huntley changed his name and that was sufficient to get around police checks," said Coun Garry Perkins (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms). "All we're doing is paying for more useless paperwork."

This prompted council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawns) to quip: "Perhaps it's the police who should be zero-rated instead of our Social Services."

And Coun Jemima Milton (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon) complained that recruitment in the care sector was suffering because of the delay with police clearance.

"Applicants for jobs just get fed up waiting and take work elsewhere," said Coun Milton, who is the council's lead member for Social Services. The cabinet agreed that a letter should be sent to the town's two MPs highlighting the council's concerns.

The barbed debate arose out of the presentation to the cabinet of the latest draft police procedures over the appointment of employees working with children and vulnerable adults.

An officers' report to the cabinet stressed that "a criminal offence will not necessarily bar individuals from working with the council".

It explained: "Offences or other related matters will, however, be taken into account by appointing officers when assessing applicants' suitability for employment. "

Such matters to be taken into consideration will be:

Whether the conviction is relevant to the post applied for.

The seriousness of any offence.

The length of time since the offence was committed.

Whether there is a pattern of offending behaviour.

Whether the candidate's circumstances have changed significantly since falling foul of the law.