Issue - meetings

Questions from members of the public.

Mr Wratten and Mr Mohammed responded to the report and made the following comments:

       i.        Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks were unnecessary for non-drivers who would never have any direct contact with the public.

     ii.        Accepted that standard checks were necessary and non-drivers would have access to information such as child movements and service user’s holidays.

The Committee received a report from Team Manager (Commercial & Licensing) regarding an amendment the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy (the ‘policy’).

In October 2016 Cambridge City Council’s the policy was reviewed and updated following consultation with the trade and members of the public. One of the changes relates to the requirement for ‘non-driver proprietors’ of vehicle and operator licences to undertake a criminal record check at ‘enhanced disclosure’ level at three-yearly intervals. This check is now known as an Enhanced DBS check. 

The DBS, however, advised the Council in May 2017 that non-driver proprietors of vehicle and operator licences were not eligible for an Enhanced DBS check and therefore the policy needed to be changed.

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

     i.        Sought clarification regarding how useful the enhanced checks had been.

    ii.        Agreed that standards checks were a good idea due to the confidential information that non-drivers had access to.

   iii.        Suggested that safeguarding training was important, even for non-drivers, as those answering the phone might be the first point of contact with a vulnerable individual.

  iv.        Stated that taxi drivers were viewed a safe person by those in distress.

   v.        Taxi call centre staff could have vital information and need to be aware of how to report any concerns.

The Committee:

Resolved (unanimously)

     i.        To amend the policy to require non-driver proprietors and operators to undertake a Basic DBS check at 3-yearly intervals.

    ii.        Confirmed the continuation of the requirement for all non-driver proprietors to attend, and successfully pass, the Customer Awareness, Safeguarding, Equality and Protection training course.

   iii.        Directed the refund of £19 to each non-driver proprietor who had already undertaken an Enhanced DBS check.