TAXI drivers could be required to have mandatory child sexual exploitation (CSE) training as part of extra safeguarding measures to help 'protect vulnerable members of society'.

Council officers will carry out an eight-week consultation on an updated hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy following approval from the licensing committee at the Town Hall on Monday.

Since June 2016, cabbies have been required to have CCTV fitted in their vehicles to improve the safety of drivers and passengers.

The authority also confirmed it has a 'strong commitment' to continue with the CCTV, although it will be monitoring changes at the national level closely.

In its report, the council said: "It is important that we keep our policies under review.

"CCTV now forms an important part of our commitment to safeguarding people and to detecting and preventing crime.

"The use of CCTV in licensed vehicles is continuing to evolve and develop at both a national and local level.

"It is important that our approach is flexible enough to respond.

"It is important that everyone takes responsibility for the protection of vulnerable members of our society and that sufficient steps are taken to safeguard their welfare and safety.

"A number of our drivers have attended voluntary training on CSE and continue to act in a responsible way.

"It is proposed to take further actions to protect the interests of our drivers, the safety and welfare of their passengers and to raise overall public confidence.

"A number of additional safeguarding measures are proposed, including mandatory CSE training to all existing and new licence holders."

During Monday's meeting, committee member Cllr Brian Axcell (LD – Appleton) asked licensing officers about Uber.

He said: "How do we deal with outfits like Uber, who try to get around licensing?"

Officers said the authority would have to decide whether Uber was 'fit and proper' before determining whether to hand out a licence.

But they added that the company can operate in the town, provided that its vehicles were licensed by another authority.

Committee chair Cllr Pauline Nelson (LAB – Birchwood) praised officers for their efforts in putting together the proposals.

She said: "A lot of hard work has gone into it.

"When you talk to other authorities you realise just how good we are, other authorities are quite a way behind us in terms of licensing and taxis."

Following an eight-week consultation, the finalised policy is planned to come before the licensing committee on June 12.

The current regulations will remain in force until any changes are approved.