Agenda item

(a)       That the introduction of mandatory safeguarding awareness training for all of Flintshire’s licensed Private Hire/Hackney Carriage (Joint) Drivers and Private Hire Operators be supported;

(b)       That the amending of the Private Hire Driver and Operator conditions to include the following condition be supported:-

The Driver/Operator must complete a Safeguarding Awareness training course when required to attend by the Licensing Section.

(c)        That the Committee supported the proposal that Private Hire/Hackney Carriage (Joint) Drivers and Private Hire Operators who fail to attend the mandatory safeguarding training will be reported to the Licensing Sub Committee; and

(d)       That consultation with Private Hire/Hackney Carriage (Joint) Drivers and Private Hire Operators be undertaken and responses provided to the Committee for final determination. 

The Community Protection Team Leader introduced a report on the introduction of mandatory safeguarding awareness training for licensed Private Hire/Hackney Carriage (Joint) Drivers and Operators.

The Team Leader provided background information and referred to the independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham (1997-2013) which highlighted significant concerns regarding safeguarding control for Private Hire and Taxi licensing in Rotherham.  She advised that the Private Hire and Hackney Carriage trade in Flintshire was responsible for transporting people on a daily basis and some journeys would involve transporting children and vulnerable persons which would occasionally be as part of a contract with the Authority. 

The Team Leader advised that the Licensing Section wanted to strengthen safeguarding practice and raise awareness and standards by providing the Private Hire and Hackney Carriage trade with information and skills to understand its responsibilities and the action to take if there were  concerns about the safety or welfare of individuals.  She explained that mandatory safeguarding training would raise awareness of safeguarding of children and vulnerable people, minimise risk, and provide drivers and operators with the means to report suspect behaviour.  Should the Committee support the scheme then it was proposed that consultation with Drivers and Operators be undertaken and feedback on the responses provided to the Committee for consideration and final determination.

In response to the questions raised the Team Leader advised that North Wales Police would provide the training but invitations and refreshments would be provided by the Authority.  She explained that a standard Private Hire /Hackney Carriage (Joint) drivers licence was issued for three years, however, the Authority would encourage drivers to attend safeguarding training within the first 12 months.  She reported that in the future it would be conditional that new licence holders would complete the safeguarding course.

Members spoke in support of the proposal and approved the introduction of mandatory safeguarding awareness training for all of Flintshire’s licensed Private Hire/Hackney Carriage (Joint) Drivers and Private Hire Operators.

In response to a suggestion from Councillor Glyn Banks that training on safeguarding awareness should also be made available to Members, the Community and Business Protection Manager explained that discussions around safeguarding training had been held in the Corporate Safeguarding Board for Flintshire and she would make enquiries and provide feedback to the Committee on this.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the introduction of mandatory safeguarding awareness training for all of Flintshire’s licensed Private Hire/Hackney Carriage (Joint) Drivers and Private Hire Operators be supported;

(b)       That the amending of the Private Hire Driver and Operator conditions to include the following condition be supported:-

The Driver/Operator must complete a Safeguarding Awareness training course when required to attend by the Licensing Section.

(c)        That the Committee supported the proposal that Private Hire/Hackney Carriage (Joint) Drivers and Private Hire Operators who fail to attend the mandatory safeguarding training will be reported to the Licensing Sub Committee; and

(d)       That consultation with Private Hire/Hackney Carriage (Joint) Drivers and Private Hire Operators be undertaken and responses provided to the Committee for final determination.