FOLLOWING the conviction of Dai Boswell, former Pembroke mayor, for child sex offences, the issues of protecting young people became a topic of debate at the recent Pembroke Town Council meeting.

A member of the public, who said she has worked in safeguarding, asked for clarification on the council’s policies after seeing negative comments on social media about the council.

She asked if advice on DBS checks and safeguarding was overseen by the county council; if councillors came under the supervision of event organisers when they attend an event; and when holding an event was there anyone in charge of safeguarding, with a certificate.

Responding to the questions, Suzie Thomas, the town clerk, said, “we haven’t actually got a safeguarding policy” but that some councillors had their own DBS checks.

The town clerk also said she was not sure whether councillors were covered by the event holder’s safeguarding policies and that they did not often hold one-to-one events involving children.

She added: “Obviously you have Father Christmas and the fair, but you’re not literally only in contact with children.

“A group of people is always there, but whether that covers that or not I would hold up my hand up and say I don’t know.”

The member of public responded by saying that with events that held out in the open, like the recent Pembroke Dog Show, children could easily turn up without a parent or guardian, leaving them vulnerable.

She said: “It is a good provision to make sure that if you are doing an event outside there is a named safeguarding person.”

Cllr Jon Harvey raised a motion suggesting an adoption of a safeguarding policy and that councillors submit to a voluntary DBS check.

He said: “Following the events with our former mayor, there has been a great deal of concern expressed about safeguarding generally and I think it is important that this council shows the public that we take protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously.

“In summary what the policy is looking to do is appoint a safeguarding officer, whose duties would include making members of the council aware of the risks involved in certain circumstances while carrying out their duties.”

The councillor said he had adopted the policy from English council and that it would need to be properly looked at, to ensure that it was appropriate for Wales.

Cllr Clive Collins supported the proposal but said he wanted the document to be properly vetted to make sure it was legally cleared, as it could be “thrown back” at them.

The adoption of safeguarding policy was unanimously passed by the council.

Cllr Harvey dropped his proposal for DBS checks until the next council meeting, so that more information could be presented.