Gambling, Licensing & Regulatory Committee

 

18 March 2019

Report from the Assistant Director – Planning and Public Protection

 

Update on Disclosure and Barring Service checks for York taxi drivers

 

Summary

1.        This report is to update members on the progress made on ongoing criminal record checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), ‘refresher’ checks for York licensed hackney carriage and private hire drivers as requested by Members of this Committee on 8 October 2018.

 
Recommendations

 

2.        That the Report be noted.

 

Reason:     In order that Members be updated on the progress of DBS checks for York taxi drivers

 

Background

 

3.        The report brought before Members on 8 October comprehensively outlined the council’s position with regards to outstanding DBS checks and, as such, the position is not repeated within this report.

 

4.        At the time of the last report there were 693 drivers were due a DBS check.  As of 20 February 2019 (the time of writing) a further 291 drivers have become due a check, meaning a total of 984 drivers had become due a check. 

 

·        All 984 (100%) drivers have been contacted by officers about the process.

·        It is pleasing that some 917 (93.2%) have now completed their checks satisfactorily.

·        There are 14 (1.4%) drivers with checks in progress with the DBS.

·        There are 22 (2.2%) drivers with whom we are checking ‘positive’ results.  Please note that the DBS process flags all previous convictions and other matters which we may already be aware of.

·        Some 18 (1.8%) of drivers have indicated their intention to surrender their licence as they are no longer driving.

·        There are ten (1.0%) drivers who we have been unable to contact or begin the process for good reason (for example because they have a long term illness) and three (0.3%) drivers refusing to co-operate.

 

5.        As recommended at the meeting on the 8 October, we are in the process of contacting those drivers who have yet to surrender their licence (as they have indicated) or are refusing to co-operate with a view to determining whether they remain ‘fit and proper’ persons to hold a licence.  Each case is being considered on its merits, but sanctions include suspension or revocation of their licence.  The same considerations are being made in respect of those drivers we have been unable to contact.

 

 

Consultation

 

6.        There is no consultation associated with this report as it is for information only.

 
Options

 

7.        There are no options and analysis associated with this report as it is for information only.

 

Analysis

 

8.        There are no options and analysis associated with this report as it is for information only.

 

Council Plan

 

9.        This action supports the council’s priority to meet its statutory duties.

 
Implications

 

10.    There are no other implications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Details

 

Author:

 

Chief Officer Responsible for the report:

Matt Boxall

Head of Public Protection

Tel: (01904) 551528

 

 

 

 

Mike Slater

Assistant Director of Planning and Public Protection

 

Report Approved

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Date

08.03.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialist Implications Officer(s)  List information for all

 

N/A

 

Wards Affected:  List wards or tick box to indicate all

All

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For further information please contact the author of the report

 

 

Background Papers

Committee Report from 8 October 2018

https://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=606&MId=11075&Ver=4

 

Annexes

None