Agenda item

To receive and consider a report proposing safeguarding training for hackney carriage, private hire drivers and school and community transport vehicle drivers.

The Committee considered the Safeguarding Training for Hackney Carriage, Private Hire and School and Community Transport Vehicle Drivers report which was set out in agenda pages 9-18.

Julia O’Brian, Licensing Team Leader explained that the report contained information which had been collected over a number of years which evidenced that there was an identified serious risk to the safety of children which could be reduced through appropriate training of taxi drivers and operators.  There had been a number of high profile and significant cases in recent years pertaining to the sexual exploitation of children.  In order to diminish the risk it was proposed that safeguarding training for all existing drivers and new drivers became compulsory.

Julia informed that should the Committee approve the recommendations, there would be a consultation with members of the taxi trade upon the introduction of the training and how it could best be delivered.

Julia stated that Bracknell had identified training providers and the course would cost £20 per attendee.  A booking system would be created and different venues and dates would be offered to drivers.  Existing drivers would be asked to undertake the training to obtain a renewal of their licence.

In response to a question Julia stated that there was a database of around 450 licenced drivers.

Julia envisaged that refresher courses would be offered every three years.

During the discussion of the item the following comments were made:

·           Julia stated that if significant changes to the safeguarding guidance occurred, drivers would be sent a letter with updates and/ or information would be included in the trade newsletter;

·           In response to a question Julia stated that school transport offered training for school drivers in the form of an assessment.  Going forward this training would take precedence over the school transport training;

·           In response to a question Julia stated that the Licensing Authority did not have jurisdiction over escorts as this fell under school transport legislation.  However, she believed that escorts did receive safeguarding training;

·           In response to a question Julia stated that Uber had not submitted an application to became an operator in Wokingham;

·           In response to a question Julia clarified that Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) was undertaken every three years.  Officers were not aware of any other local authorities who enforced DBS checks more often than every three years;

·           Councillor Hobbs felt that three years was a long time and a lot could happen in that time, she believed that DBS checks should be undertaken more often;

·           In response to a question Julia stated that DBS checks were returned within two to three weeks;

·           Julia clarified that under Wokingham Borough Council’s Licensing Policy, Officers could take into account spent convictions when considering licence applications;  

·           Julia confirmed that drivers had to give up licences with other local authorities in order to hold a licence with Wokingham.  In response to a question Julia stated that there was communication between local authorities to establish if drivers had given up their licences upon taking a licence with Wokingham;

·           Councillor Rowland asked what would happen if drivers responded negatively to the consultation.  Julia stated that holding a consultation was considered best practice.  Councillor Patman believed that genuine concerns would be taken into account;

·           In response to a question Julia stated that there would not be a pass/ fail test at the end of the course.  The training was going to be interactive and trainers would be able to advise if they felt someone had not understood the contents and needed to re-take the course;

·           Members questioned if the level of proficiency in the English language was taken into account during the application process.  Julia explained that there were tests in place and drivers who failed the English language test would not be issued a licence.

RESOLVED That the Licensing and Appeals Committee agrees with the recommendations contained in the report which were:

1)     to introduce mandatory safeguarding training for all hackney carriage and private hire vehicle drivers and operators and

2)     to consult with members of the taxi trade upon the introduction of the training and how it can best be delivered.