[DASERVICES]

Have just received a mail that Dundee Community Safety Partnership and Trading Standards are giving the SLWCN their full backing. More news later.

We must be doing SOMETHING right!

[NWH]

What does that mean then.

[Stevie G]

 

[DASERVICES]

Sorry,

It was a quick post as had to go out.

The major backing we have to date is the Trading Standards who are linked to Coummunity Safety Partnerships in each Council area. They are fully backing licensed window cleaners and have asked our members to be part of the " Trusted Trader". This is a list of reputable trades that have the backing of the Trading Standards.

They have now asked licensed window cleaners to be a part of this which is a very good thing to have. SLWCN members will be mailed details later on once I have the full facts about applying.

They also have an input into the local Council so we know have a strong support to sort out our objective.

Doug

[JM123]

how does the slwcn adjudicate whether someone is a 'trusted trader'?  can a trad wc be a trusted trader (under the EurWAHD2005) etc.

[DASERVICES]

Until Councils and the HSE start setting the criteria in using ladders we are in no position to point the finger at any window cleaner who is trad.

With regards to the "Trusted Trader" the Trading Standards have strict guidelines so not every licensed window cleaner would be able to join. I still have to check out the details.

Doug

[JM123]

Until Councils and the HSE start setting the criteria in using ladders we are in no position to point the finger at any window cleaner who is trad.

surely they don't set the criteria - its a European law, I know that joiners etc now cannot use ladders.  I'm not attacking trad wc here but surely if tradesmen are being recommended by way of 'trusted trader' then they must operate under current legislation?

The reason I ask is that in Northern Ireland there are an exceptionally high number of dodgy shiners, I see them on an almost daily basis of walking over ledges 20/30ft up, undercutting other wcers and holding this industry back - I for one would like to see licensing brought in over here and more enforcement of law where applicable.

[DASERVICES]

Quote " operate under current legislation ".

We could debate this for ages but even the HSE do not know what it is, they hide it under the term " must do risk assesment". There is nothing in black and white, all trades are carrying on as normal. The only trade I know they are cracking down on is the building trade.

[Clear Vision]

Sorry,

It was a quick post as had to go out.

The major backing we have to date is the Trading Standards who are linked to Coummunity Safety Partnerships in each Council area. They are fully backing licensed window cleaners and have asked our members to be part of the " Trusted Trader". This is a list of reputable trades that have the backing of the Trading Standards.

They have now asked licensed window cleaners to be a part of this which is a very good thing to have. SLWCN members will be mailed details later on once I have the full facts about applying.

They also have an input into the local Council so we know have a strong support to sort out our objective.

Doug

Please kindly explain to me  why a joiner doesn't need a licence or many many many other trades? Why window cleaners?

[DASERVICES]

Window cleaners are targetted because they have regular access to peoples homes, the likes of plumbers etc.. will only visit a place once. Window cleaners will visit a property on a monthly basis so will have the knowledge when people have gone on holiday or are not in. This is when break ins normally occur.

In 2002 the window cleaning licence was looked into scrapping it but it was kept on the grounds that window cleaners have regular access to peoples properties. You will find that the Police Force have a big say in this and not Councils.

You can say the rouges have spoilt our industry which then required the need for the licence.

Tam can clarify this but the licence was first introduced in Glasgow back in the days of the ice cream wars and so called window cleaners were laundering money. Hence the licence was introduced and other forces followed as it was a deterent to rouge window cleaners.

For example Clacks who have just introduced it the local PC force did not see window cleaners as a risk, but Central Scotland Police pushed for it as they did. The Police run the show for licensing but sometimes they have been over ruled by some strange desicions by councillers.

Hope this explains it a bit more, also just to let you know Highlands will soon be on the SLWCN list.

Cheers

Doug

[Clear Vision]

Please show me proof that the window cleaning licence is enforced by the police.

Thanks

Matthew

[Clear Vision]

Window cleaners are targetted because they have regular access to peoples homes, the likes of plumbers etc.. will only visit a place once. Window cleaners will visit a property on a monthly basis so will have the knowledge when people have gone on holiday or are not in. This is when break ins normally occur.

A lot of window cleaners only clean outside and never go inside. Other trades can be in houses for months or even years.

Plumbers could be plumbing a house for a week or more!
A joiner could be doing a loft conversion or anything for months!!!!!!!!! and be alone in the house.

If your going to make such a big thing about window cleaners having a licence I suggest you make a big thing about other trades having a licence to make things fair!

I provide a service and and people ask me to clean there windows on there own property!!! Meaning this is a agreement between me and them! Please tell me where the licence applies here??? :

If I was to go out and canvas work on the streets then I might say you need a licence to do that.

[Clear Vision]

Money making racket!!!!!!! :

I am broadcasting this publicly

I do NOT have a licence and NEVER will!!!!!!!!!!

I will email you my home number if you like and my full name and address. You can report my to the highland council or the police if you like!

I actually phoned the council when I started and told them I was starting window cleaning and would NOT be applying for a licence.

They said."oh well we cant make you!"

I said " your d**n right"

I'm here to make a honest living and provide a superb service to all my customers which I do and I will not be forced into any unnecessary licence!

[darren72]

Been cleaning windows for over 18 years in the Paisley area never had a licence never been stopped by the police once, its just another way for the council to get money of you.

[DASERVICES]

Matthew,

I'm not here to force people to get a licence, we are a group of licensed window cleaners throughout Scotland who would like to see a fairer licensing system for all. You can also see it from our point of view who are licensed why it is annoying when work is taken from them from unlicensed window cleaners. Everyone should be on the same palying field, it's like I will not tax my car because there are other people who break the law.

Not having a licence is breaking the civic law, some counties enforce it and some don't. Personnaly speaking your county is a waste of time as it is broken into several divisions.  Then we have Tayside Police who have a division that look into unlicensed window cleaners, this is the guy, feel free to sepak to him :- http://www.tayside.police.uk/whereangusspu.php

No I don't need your details we are not here to shop people but to work with Councils in getting a fairer system. This is proving to be a hard task with some and others are co-operating. We are in fact shaming Councils with the fact they are running the licensing incorrectly.

The biggest problem is public knowledge hence the window cleaning directory which will be advertised in all local newspapers, which we hope will give licensed window cleaners the upper hand on those that undercut them for a few pounds.
 People will then recognise that window cleaners have costs that they inccur so charging a decent price they should not be frowned at.

I know loads of window cleaners that are not licensed and they share the view why pay for it if it is not enforced. I can fully understand what they are saying and they would be willing to pay for a licence if it is enforced. And no I have not grassed them up.

But from my point of veiw it is law so hence why I pay for it begrudgingly and for a few areas. Thats my view, everyone has their own view.

To sum up Matthew we are not here to name and shame unlicensed window cleaners but to get the Council to do the job they are supposed to do.

Apologise if I have offended you in any way.

Doug

[Clear Vision]

Apologise if I have offended you in any way.

Doug

Doug,

First off I want to apologise to you for my abrupt manner!

I appreciate your time, effort and enthusiasm in your quest to try and get this licence idea set up. I take my hat off to you! well done.

I totally agree with your point of view and why window cleaners should be licensed.

I personally think other steps could be taken to sieve out the under cutters and one off cleaners. I don't know what though?

Although I'm not licensed I provide a very reliable friendly and professional service. I even wear a uniform with my company logo and name on it. I price jobs as high as I can and I never undercut any other cleaner on purpose.

So once again I'm sorry, but I feel very strongly about not having a licence and also respect you for what you are doing.

Would be nice to meet up with you one day! Not too far from you! Inverness.

Matthew

[DASERVICES]

No problems,

Should be coming up your way soon with the family as long as the midges are not out in force

We have spoken to other unlicensed window cleaners and they share the same view point and would pay for a licence if it is enforced.

We would also welcome other views from unlicensed window cleaners, please have your say what you would like to change as things are changing fast. So please don't leave it to the last minute when everything has changed because we cannot go back.

However one that we cannot fix are those who would fail a licence, this would be between yourselves and the licensing committee. A word of warning they are trying now to bring in spent convictions which I feel is wrong as we were all mad terriors when we were young. People can change and should be given the chance in life.

One document to look at which is a long read and if the council had applied these changes then there would be no need for this :- http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/30859/0026954.pdf

[Clear Vision]

No problems,

Should be coming up your way soon with the family as long as the midges are not out in force

When will you be up? You could give me a hand as im a bit behind!

[kevin @ Ess]

hi clear vision

i have been stopped and asked to produce my wc license twice in the last 8 years in inverness, by the police.
highland council cant and wont enforce it, but northen constab. say they will

having said that, i have never heard of an actual case, but i have a licence, just in case.

but i do agree with you that it means nothing about how well we do our job.

kevin.

[DASERVICES]

When will you be up? You could give me a hand as im a bit behind!

No probs will give you a bell when I come up, prob I have is waiting for a cheap room at travellodge as have big family so have to pay for two rooms