The price of running criminal record checks on people working with children and vulnerable adults in Castle Point will increase again.
The development was revealed at the annual review of licensing fees for the borough's taxi drivers, who potentially deal with children and the vulnerable as part of their working day.
The rate of a check has been going up and up in recent years - in 2001 it was a free service, it is now £29 and from April next year it will cost £33 to run a check.
Heather Searle, chairman of the borough's licensing committee, said: "The costs of criminal checks is not a matter which the council are responsible for, it is a Government issue.
"We have to ensure they are carried out."
Hazel Blears, Home Office Minister with Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) responsibilities, told how hikes were necessary to provide a vital service.
She said: "There is clear evidence that the disclosure service is offering improved protection for children and vulnerable adults.
"In a survey earlier this year nearly one in five organisations who used the service have declined to employ someone as a result of information contained in a disclosure.
"We believe that organisations see the disclosure fee as a price worth paying for the additional protection it affords against abuse of the vulnerable."
A standard disclosure currently costs £24 - set to rise to £28 - and reveals all convictions that are spent or unspent, any cautions, reprimands or warnings issued at a national level - this is an essential check for anyone working with children.
Published Tuesday December 16, 2003
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