From what we can gather at SMT, the ‘dynamic duo’ are going out of their way to listen to the private sector’s many and varied voices, absorbing all the information they can such that the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is afforded every chance of making licensing work. Importantly, the Meacher-Saunders Roadshow stopped off at the JSIC Security Forum (‘Blueprints for reform’, pp32-34) where, as ever, the debate on regulation and the extended police family raged long into the Westminster afternoon.
In the discussion concerning licensing, John Saunders hinted that the SIA will “be thinking long and hard” about the suggestion that powers should be obtained to close down security companies which don’t conform to the Act. A stance with which SMT is in full agreement. The Approved Contractors’ scheme MUST be mandatory. An eventuality that would redress over-saturation in the market at a stroke.
More importantly, perhaps, the fact that licensing for in-house personnel has thus far been neglected rankled with many in the audience, not least high profile professionals including Philip Barber (group security manager at the National Exhibition Centre). “The issue of in-house regulation is a hot potato,” opined Barber, “but it must be handled and handled properly”. How true.
SMT remembers when the original Bill for what would become the Act was first published back in December 2000. When challenged as to why in-house teams were not included, Graham Titcombe – leader of the Implementation Team – suggested that there was a Governmental desire “not to add another layer of bureaucracy”… Not a good enough argument then, and certainly not now, Mr Titcombe. What is the SIA going to do when those who fail to pass the licensing criteria pitch up at Mr Barber’s door looking for work once private contractors are rid of them?
In-house teams MUST be subject to the same terms and conditions of licensing as their partners in the private sector. That is one message Molly Meacher and John Saunders would do well to take on board over and above all others.
