Winchester polygraph test used for council members
A Winchester polygraph test has the answers for local counsillors. The council suffered recent uproar over asking councillors to sign NDA’s, therefore making polygraph testing a viable alternative.
The case
Councillors have criticised ‘intimidating and unpleasant’ non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) used by Winchester City Council. The council has been sending out NDAs to members of the authority to allow them to read confidential documents.
More recently, they were used to allow councillors to receive exempt sections of the Central Winchester Regeneration report. The first draft of these indemnity provisions, which meant that councillors would be financially liable for any loss that the council suffers.
Councillors responses
Conservative councillor Hugh Lumby asked the council at a recent council meeting how many members signed the agreement.
Cllr Lumby said: “We have a mess right now and we do really need to get on and sort it out. The indemnity, it says basically that you are liable for any loss that the council suffers way beyond. You don’t have to mitigate or have to evidence the loss you’ve incurred. Therefore, you (councillors) just get a bill for it. It is really intimidatory and unpleasant. They shouldn’t be doing it.”
The NDA
His comments came after fellow Tory councillor Stephen Godfrey proposed a motion to make the council more transparent.
It included properly consulting all councillors and the public before making any significant decisions about council projects. It also included publishing of papers that were marked exempt after 12 months of a decision being made.
Finally, the motion also included recording the discussions, submissions and decisions at all meetings attended by any person outside the council and stopping the use of NDAs.
The outrage
Cllr Godfrey said: “Legalisation already exists that prohibits councillors from disclosing information in documents identified as being restricted. Demanding that councillors sign a non-disclosure agreement, particularly when they include a clause that seeks to indemnify the council from any consequential loss or damage is wholly unnecessary and heavy handed.”
Polygraph testing
With the dismissal of NDA’s now in question, the council are suggesting polygraph testing for council members. The board believe the roles of the council members put them at risk of knowing important information and are keen to make the screening process reliable by using polygraph testing. In conclusion, governing bodies have issued polygraph testing as part of their employment terms. Therefore, councils wish to do the same.
If you want to book a polygraph test for your employees then book your test online today. You can also call us on our free helpline on 07572 748364.
