This is my last and final statement with regards the SLWCN and all further communication will be through SLWCN members. I have posted a lot about licensing on here so both licensed and unlicensed window cleaners on here were aware of events that are happening.
For those that are not aware licensing only applies to Scotland and it is law to operate as a window cleaner to hold each Council's relevant license. It is not a popular system do due the fact it was not working and fully accept people's views on paying the license fee. The problem we have this law and it will not be changed therefore we as window cleaners need it to protect our industry and work for us. This is what we pay the fee for.
The SLWCN has now achieved it's objective and the majority of Council's are now willing to work alongside the SLWCN. As a result we will be working with Councils one at a time get the message through to the general public which will be done through Council magazines which are distributed throughout the County.
The public will be able to view all licensed window cleaners either on the SLWCN website all Council websites.
Councils have had to employ Licensing Standards Officers who will check window cleaners within the Council Area they work in, any unlicensed window cleaner caught will be reported to the Prosecutor Fiscal. They have asked licensed window cleaners via SLWCN to work with them and they are all for helping our Industry and eradicating the problems we face. Meetings will be arranged between SLWCN members and any other licensed window that wishes to attend with the LSO. It is imperative we let them know the problems we face and how both parties can work together.
We now have a representative in the Scottish Parliament that will work with the SLWCN to see if we can get changes to the law approved for a uniformed licensing system.
This is as far as we can now take it and it is up to licensed window cleaners along with the SLWCN to improve our working standards. On a final point but please do not take this as acurate from what I am hearing HSE may also lay a huge part in licensing, this only applies to Scotland.
Lastley a big thanks to all those that have worked with us and a big thanks to those that are now getting licensed and now lets all work together in improving our industry.
Many Thanks
Doug