Decision details

                    The Licensing Unit Manager submitted a reportby the Assistant Director (Legal and Democratic Services) in respect of introducing safeguarding training for Applicants/licence holders of Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers’ licences.  The report explained that on 20 March 2018, members approved the introduction of such safeguarding training and the requirement that all existing licence holders complete the training within a 12 month period.

                     Subsequently, on 14 June 2018, Members agreed to suspend this training in order for the Licensing Service to bring the proposed training in line with the requirements of the Greater Manchester Minimum Standards for Taxi Drivers. 

 The Council Procurement team and the Licensing Service have conducted a tender exercise in relation to the provision of safeguarding training.  Thirty eight companies showed an interest and of those, six submissions were returned by the closing date in respect of this tender.  Following evaluation and scoring, there has been one successful bidder, namely ‘Personnel Checks’.

 Following the Panel’s decision on 14 June 2018 to suspend implementation of the training, Members are now requested to re-introduce with immediate effect the requirement for mandatory safeguarding training for new Applicants as a pre-requisite prior to application and that existing drivers will be required to undertake the training within 12 months of the implementation date.  It is proposed that the first training take place as soon as possible, before the 31 March 2019, with the costs of the training borne by the Applicant or the licence holder.

Delegated decision:

 It was agreed unanimously by the members of the Licensing and Safety Panel to reinstate, with immediate effect, the Policy requirement for Applicants/licence holders of Hackney Carriage/Private Hire drivers’ badges to undertake mandatory safeguarding training.