The SIA in September 2009 published a consultation paper seeking views on its proposal for a new licence framework regarding the use of a single generic licence card and the result of that informal consultation on whether a single generic licence should be introduced or not, has shown that the Authority will not be developing a non sector-specific licence, after all.

According to the SIA the general feedback from the industry showed that while there was some interest in a more integrated approach, the option for a single generic licence card did not receive widespread enthusiasm.

Currently, SIA licence cards are specific to each sector. Operatives working in more than one sector may need to be issued with multiple licences, Vigilance has learnt.

The two options set out in the consultation were:

• to introduce a single generic licence card covering all of the licensable activities that the holder is qualified to undertake; or
• to continue to issue sector-specific and multiple licences.

SIA Director of Strategy and Corporate Services, Mr Hazel Russell said:

"I would like to thank respondents for their contributions to this informal consultation. The responses did not provide clear support for the development of a non-sector specific licence, so at present we will not be making changes to the licences that we issue.”

However, Russell revealed that the apex Authority for the security industry in the UK would now reconsider how it has defined the 'manned guarding' sectors and would take account of the consultation responses in identifying opportunities for limiting the requirement for multiple licences and for reducing administrative burdens.

Russell added, “This, combined with our ongoing customer service improvements will help to ensure that any future changes will continue to be stakeholder-led."

Licence Framework of the Consultation in perspective:

The two options proposed in the consultation paper were:

• Option 1: to introduce a new framework with a single generic licence covering the licensable activities that the holder is qualified to undertake; or
• Option 2: to leave things as they are and continue to issue sector-specific and multiple licences.

Option 1 suggested a way in which SIA licensing could be made simpler and more flexible, and the administrative burdens created by licensing might be reduced.

A narrow majority (55%) chose Option 1. However, we do not feel that this shows clear and widespread support for developing a single generic licence, so we will not be going ahead with this proposal.

Although no changes are proposed at this stage, the responses highlighted some of the unintended constraints created by the current licensing definitions and a strong desire for ongoing reduction of administrative burdens.

In view of this, we will consider how we might revise the definitions of the various manned guarding sectors (Cash and Valuables in Transit, Close Protection, Door Supervision, Public Space Surveillance (CCTV), Security Guarding