Agenda item

The Interim Principal Licensing Officer and the Councils’ Legal Advisor both drew Members’ attention to an amendment to the date shown in the recommendation as follows:-

‘That with effect from 1^st July 2025 each time a licence holder renews their licence they must undertake safeguarding training delivered by the Council’s approved training provider prior to submitting their renewal application’.

Following on from the Licensing Committee meeting held on 22^nd July 2024, whereby Members had approved that a 12 week consultation be undertaken, with relevant stakeholders and the public on whether to introduce a requirement, that all drivers who held a licence issued by the Council authorising them to drive hackney carriage and / or private hire vehicles would have to undertake mandatory safeguarding awareness training before renewing their licences.

Members were now being asked to consider the responses received to that consultation.

The Interim Principal Licensing Officer, Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) informed Members that consultation on the two proposed policy amendments had taken place, and that it comprised of a survey which was made available to complete online via the Council’s website and was promoted by the Council’s Communications Team, across a range of channels.

Information on the consultation, along with details on how to respond were sent directly to:-

·       Bromsgrove District Council licensed drivers, vehicle proprietors and private hire operators

·       National Private Hire and Taxi Association

·       Licensed Private Hire Car Association

·       West Mercia Police

·       Safer Roads Partnership

·       West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner

·       Worcestershire County Council - Relevant contacts at Worcestershire County Council, including those responsible for safeguarding children and adults and arranging home to school transport

·       Relevant interest groups, including those that represent people with disabilities and the elderly

·       Relevant local business groups

·       District, Town and Parish Councillors

Members were further informed that in total 22 responses had been received to the online questionnaire. Of the 22 respondents, 12 were holders of a taxi/private hire driver licence, 1 response was received from a user of hackney carriage and private hire vehicles, 5 were from local councillors. 4 responses had been received from other independent responses from external bodies which included responses from West Mercia Police, the Crime Commissioner and a Police Licensing Officer.

In response to question 3, 40.9% of respondents indicated that they agreed with the Councils proposal to introduce mandatory safeguarding awareness training for all existing hackney carriage and private hire drivers as a requirement for renewing their licence. 54.6% disagreed.

There were 11 detailed responses received in relation to making the training mandatory, with seven of the respondents opposed to the implementation of Safeguarding Refresher Training. Four of the eleven respondents welcomed the proposal believing it offered protection to transport users. The majority of concerns raised were around the training having already been received by the drivers, albeit many years ago. The comments for the proposal had taken into consideration that taxi drivers were our eyes and ears and dealt with the most vulnerable in our society. Therefore, knowing what to do in various situations came with many benefits.

In summary, the consultation results from those who had expanded on their responses, highlighted a mixed reaction to the introduction of safeguarding awareness refresher training for all existing licence holders from 1 April 2025.

When asked directly should the proposed refresher training be implemented, 40.9% were in favour; 45.5% opposed; and 13.6% had no firm opinion.

Officers were aware that some drivers would have undertaken safeguarding training previously and that the proposed 3-yearly update would reflect changes in guidance and legislation. The cost of the updated provision to supply these important updates would be kept to a minimum, improving standards for our drivers, service users and the Council.

The cost of this mandatory safeguarding training was £20.00 per applicant and would cover the 3-year licensing period. This was considered very good value, and therefore any consideration of the Council subsidising the cost of this training had been discounted. This also created a consistent approach to applying this policy to all drivers.

In response to questions from Members the Interim Principal Licensing Officer commented that yes there was a risk that licensed drivers who were not in favour of having to undertake safeguarding refresher training could apply for a license with another authority. Wolverhampton City Council (WCC) required drivers to undergo safeguarding training. The Interim Principal Licensing Officer agreed to find out if WCC required licensed drivers to undergo safeguarding refresher training.

The Council’s Legal Advisor further commented that safeguarding refresher

training reminded licensed drivers of their responsibility for safeguarding

their passengers, especially those who were vulnerable.

Bromsgrove District Council maintained exceptionally high standards and prided themselves of this.

Member stated that they welcomed the safeguarding refresher training.

In response to further questions the Interim Principal Licensing Officer explained that the safeguarding refresher training would be ‘in person’ training for potentially 2 hours. Drivers would be able to attend any scheduled training session.

The Interim Principal Licensing Officer further undertook to find out the number  of licensed drivers that would have to undertake the safeguarding refresher training and agreed to provide Licensing Committee Members with this information.

As detailed in the preamble above, the Chairman took the opportunity to remind Members of the amended date in the recommendation, from 1^st April to 1^st July 2025.

RESOLVED that

a)    an amendment to the existing Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Licensing Policy, as set out below, be approved:

‘That with effect from 1^st July 2025 each time a licence holder renews their licence they must undertake safeguarding training delivered by the Council’s approved training provider prior to submitting their renewal application’.