Agenda item

The Service Director Culture, Housing and Regulation will submit a report updating the Board on the current position with regard to the review of policy and procedures within the Licensing Service following the publication of the Alexis Jay and Louise Casey report into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham and the findings from a recent Internal Audit review of taxi and premises licensing.

The Service Director Culture, Housing and Regulation submitted a report updating the Board on the current position with regard to the review of policy and procedures within the Licensing Service following the publication of the Alexis Jay and Louise Casey report into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham and the findings from a recent Internal Audit Review of taxi and premises licensing. 

The report, in outlining the current position indicated that

·         there had been a formalisation of the liaison arrangements with the South Yorkshire Police and Safeguarding Children’s Services which was very much welcomed as these arrangements had now been strengthened with action meetings organised to discuss issues relating to safeguarding. 

·         a review of Licensing Conditions had been undertaken and it was proposed (minutes 21 refers) to introduce a mandatory requirement that drivers undertake safeguarding training

·         the Guideline Policy on Criminal Convictions  was being reviewed to ensure that this supported the strengthening stance taken in dealing with cases and particularly in relation to safeguarding

Other key actions (which included, where appropriate, reference to the recommendations of the Casey Report and Internal Audit Action Plans) included:

·         the submission of regular ‘Casey report’ updates to meetings of the Board

·         the establishment of secure email accounts for the exchange of sensitive information relating to Child Sexual Exploitation

·         Quarterly ‘provider’ meetings between Licensing, Safeguarding Children’s Services, the Police and other Partners.  It was noted that the first meeting had been held on the 1^st February, 2016 and had been really successful

·         The formulation of an information sharing protocol between the Council and the Police to ensure the timely exchange of sensitive data

·         A programme of Elected Member Training – it was noted that the first Safeguarding Training was to be provided by Sheffield Futures at 1.30 am on Thursday 25^th February, 2016

·         A programme of Safeguarding Training for all new driver applications was to be delivered.  It was also noted that this programme would be rolled out to existing drivers in due course. 

·         The introduction of a checklist for the approval/authorisation of all taxi licence applications from December, 2015

·         The continual liaison with the Police with regard to the planning of proactive enforcement operations

·         The development of procedures in relation to the undertaking of taxi and premises licence inspections from November, 2015.

It was also reported that an encompassing Taxi Licensing Policy incorporating full revised application criteria and convictions policy was to be produced and this would be available from September, 2016.  In addition, the Service Director was to attend the monthly CSE meetings.

In the ensuing discussion, reference was made to the following:

·         Historic cases where driver licences had been revoked or refused because of safeguarding concerns.  The way in which such matters were dealt with was outlined.  It was noted that when licences were revoked, drivers could always make appeals to either the Board or to the Magistrates court.  In addition, a driver/applicant had the right to challenge the Regulatory Board Panel decision within the Courts subject to the appeal being lodged within the prescribed 21 day period

·         In response to detailed questioning, the Board was informed of the process undertaken with regard to immediate revocations

·         Questions were raised as to any legal remedy available to drivers whose licences were revoked following the receipt of complaints which subsequently turned out to be vexatious.  The Director of Legal and Governance stated that the Authority should be safe from any subsequent  action provided decisions were made in good faith and with a reasonable expectation that the information provided was correct

·         The Service Director briefly commented upon a ‘Facebook’ taxi operation undertaken recently.  A detailed report would be submitted to the next meeting

·         Taxi drivers were more amenable to the installation of CCTV cameras within their vehicles as this not only provided protection for the driver but for the passenger as well.  This matter had been discussed within the Trade Liaison Group and such initiatives were very much welcomed by Members of the Board.  Whilst  there was no intention for this to become a mandatory condition, the costs of purchase and installation would have to be borne by the driver

·         In response to specific concerns the Senior Licensing Officer stated that any Member with concerns about driver standards should report that driver to the Licensing Service.  All complaints would be investigated and appropriate action taken.  In relation to speeding, for example, if a driver received three written warnings within a 12 month period, they would be required to attend a meeting of the General Licensing Regulatory Board Panel to explain their behaviour.

RESOLVED that the update report be received and the action being taken be endorsed.