[DASERVICES]

www.centralscotland.police.uk/news/index.php?news_id=1929

Window cleaners need to be licenced
Friday, 30th January 2009

Send to a friend | Printable version

Central Scotland Police carried out a joint operation with Falkirk Council to target unlicensed window cleaners.

Within two hours of the operation starting, on January 13, three window cleaners were detected working in the Bonnybridge area without a licence. They received a warning letter and then applied for licences which have since been granted.

Sergeant Derek Simpson, licensing officer, said: “Checking window cleaners is an important part of our business. These people are permitted access to private property, often unsupervised. It is essential that these individuals are trustworthy and are not going to abuse that privilege.

“The licensing system allows us to check the background of window cleaners and prevent anyone who might be dishonest obtaining a licence to clean windows. Over the coming weeks we will continue to carry out checks along-with Falkirk Council staff and we will take enforcement action against anyone found working unlicensed.”

Brian Douglas, Falkirk Council’s Licensing Co-ordinator, said “It is a legal requirement for window cleaners to be licensed before they can clean windows in the Falkirk area. This applies to cleaning both residential and commercial premises. We consider it is important that members of the public who allow window cleaners onto their private property should be able to do so safe in the knowledge that they are bona-fide operators who have undergone the relevant vetting and are properly insured.”

Window cleaning is just one of a number of activities which require a licence in the Falkirk Council area. Over the coming weeks both police and local authority staff will be looking to seek out those who carry out licensable activities without the proper authorisation. Spot checks will be made on those conducting various licensable activities and will not hinder legitimate licence holders in carrying out their businesses.

Those who do not hold licences but may be involved in a licensable activity are advised to make application to Falkirk Council. Advice on what activities require a licence is available from Falkirk Council Licensing Section on 01324 504950.

Members of the public are advised that they are entitled to check the licence of anyone who offers them a window cleaning service. Householders are recommended to make use of this to protect themselves from bogus workmen or unlicensed operators. Anyone who has information regarding unlicensed window cleaners can provide this information to police by phoning Central Scotland Police on 01786 456000 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

[Edge Clean]

www.centralscotland.police.uk/news/index.php?news_id=1929

Window cleaners need to be licenced
Friday, 30th January 2009

Send to a friend | Printable version

Central Scotland Police carried out a joint operation with Falkirk Council to target unlicensed window cleaners.

Within two hours of the operation starting, on January 13, three window cleaners were detected working in the Bonnybridge area without a licence. They received a warning letter and then applied for licences which have since been granted.

Sergeant Derek Simpson, licensing officer, said: “Checking window cleaners is an important part of our business. These people are permitted access to private property, often unsupervised. It is essential that these individuals are trustworthy and are not going to abuse that privilege.

“The licensing system allows us to check the background of window cleaners and prevent anyone who might be dishonest obtaining a licence to clean windows. Over the coming weeks we will continue to carry out checks along-with Falkirk Council staff and we will take enforcement action against anyone found working unlicensed.”

Brian Douglas, Falkirk Council’s Licensing Co-ordinator, said “It is a legal requirement for window cleaners to be licensed before they can clean windows in the Falkirk area. This applies to cleaning both residential and commercial premises. We consider it is important that members of the public who allow window cleaners onto their private property should be able to do so safe in the knowledge that they are bona-fide operators who have undergone the relevant vetting and are properly insured.”

Window cleaning is just one of a number of activities which require a licence in the Falkirk Council area. Over the coming weeks both police and local authority staff will be looking to seek out those who carry out licensable activities without the proper authorisation. Spot checks will be made on those conducting various licensable activities and will not hinder legitimate licence holders in carrying out their businesses.

Those who do not hold licences but may be involved in a licensable activity are advised to make application to Falkirk Council. Advice on what activities require a licence is available from Falkirk Council Licensing Section on 01324 504950.

Members of the public are advised that they are entitled to check the licence of anyone who offers them a window cleaning service. Householders are recommended to make use of this to protect themselves from bogus workmen or unlicensed operators. Anyone who has information regarding unlicensed window cleaners can provide this information to police by phoning Central Scotland Police on 01786 456000 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Doug, what happened to the 21 days or is it 28 days objection period in this case, isn't this yet another case of a council issuing a license outwith the rules of the civic government act ?

[DASERVICES]

That is still going through. Spoke to the Scottish Government and the SLWCN will be putting in an objection. Another law is being passed in that all civic trades in our case will have to wear our licenses at all times.

[Edge Clean]

That is still going through. Spoke to the Scottish Government and the SLWCN will be putting in an objection. Another law is being passed in that all civic trades in our case will have to wear our licenses at all times.

I think before they pass other laws into the civic government act, they need to look seriously at the ones that are already in place, amend them and implement them.

Wearing our licenses at all times is currently a condition of license, or is this yet another rule the councils have been trying to force on us illegally for the last 27 years (must be if they are now trying to get it passed into law).

[DASERVICES]

These changes will effect window cleaners in some way:-

Right of entry and inspection for police civilian staff
We intend to take forward the recommendation that the rights of entry and
inspection in relation to constables under the 1982 Act for specified purposes (such
as checking compliance with the terms of the licence), should be extended to include
civilian staff employed by the police under the provisions of section 9 of the Police
(Scotland) Act 1967.


Display of licences
We intend to take forward the recommendation, in the interests of public safety, to
amend the Act to make it a mandatory condition of a licence that the licence (or a
copy) be displayed on premises, vehicles (or a plate) and vessels, and where this is
not practical for the licence to be carried at all times by the day-to-day manager. In
the case of other activities (such as window cleaners) it was further recommended
that individuals should be required to carry the licence (or a copy) on their person
unless the licensing authority, under its discretionary powers, has made it a
condition of licence that an identification badge be displayed or shown on demand.
Representations, hearings and renewed applications


We intend to take forward the recommendation to make a number of amendments to
Schedules to the 1982 Act, which include, extending the time allowed for making
representations on any application for the grant or renewal of a licence from 21 days
to 28 days, increasing the period of notice which licensing authorities must give for
attendance at a hearing from 7 days to 14 days, and allow licensing authorities to
consider licence renewal applications received after the expiry date as renewals
rather than applications for a new licence for up to 28 days after the expiry of the
previous licence.

[windowwashers]

I think all window cleaners should be licensed in the uk aswell, may just stop some starting and giving us good honest ones a bad name.

[Dean Aspects]

I find wearing the licence a pain the amount of times i have caught it with my hand pole cloth and its come off and been phoned by the police as someone has handed it in
Although Tayside council do a good one that comes in a sturdy plastic holder and you can hang it around your neck and doesnt fall to pieces after 5 minutes with a proper digital photo printed on it
maybe all of them could do it like this

[Edge Clean]

Doug, those are not the changes we need to the system, we need changes to the laws that make it fairer for those legitimately involved in the trade. we also need for the councils and the police to be held accountable for their lack of policing the system.

[JSMC]

not been stopped once by police or council wardens. i work in town centres quite a bit as well.

[DASERVICES]

Dean,

I agree, my best license is for Fife and that is the cheapest, the worst is Perth and that is the most expensive. Bit of cardboard with my photo.

Tam,

The meetings we have with Councils these couple of months will bring out some of these issues which will hopefully benefit the licensed window cleaner. The first is with East Ayrshire Council and yours in March.

JMSC,

Think I now need to raise it at a higher level, bit sick of the words "we are under staffed".

[DASERVICES]

Central FM have been running adverts urging the public only to use licensed window cleaners 

www.centralfm.co.uk/

[JSMC]

Dean,

I agree, my best license is for Fife and that is the cheapest, the worst is Perth and that is the most expensive. Bit of cardboard with my photo.

Tam,

The meetings we have with Councils these couple of months will bring out some of these issues which will hopefully benefit the licensed window cleaner. The first is with East Ayrshire Council and yours in March.

JMSC,



Think I now need to raise it at a higher level, bit sick of the words "we are under staffed".

fed up seeing loads of guys noo working for clenaing companies and i bet no licence.

you know the ones i am talking about

[jaykie]

D.A.Services do you work for the licensing company.

Chris

[DASERVICES]

Chris,

No I'm involved with the SLWCN who are liasing with Councils in promoting and enforcing the license.
I am a licensed window cleaner in 4 areas.

[jaykie]

D.A.Services is your name Doug

[mikethechamois]

im with ian on this one

when are they going to extend it across the uk

[DASERVICES]

D.A.Services is your name Doug

Yes Chris that's me.

[williamx]

I think all window cleaners should be licensed in the uk aswell, may just stop some starting and giving us good honest ones a bad name.

Nope the cowboys will still be as busy as usual, the only ones who will be out of work will be the cleaners who where dishonest in their past life, they will have to give up their job and income and go and sign on, because the police will say they are un trustworthy.

[Dave71]

Im from Perth and stopped wearing my licsence cus i was out canvessing and was pricing up job,  taking her details at door i could see her studying my licsence  then suddenly she said she had changed her mind, thought i bit weird at time couple days later im working in area doing a house couple doors down from theres, the husband comes out could you do the windows yea i said better ask wife she wasnt to sure the other day he laughs yea she thought your license looked dodgey

[jaykie]

D.A.Services is your name Doug

The reason i ask is because it was mentioned on another forum that you may be pushing for a license to be used in England.

I think all window cleaners should be licensed in the uk aswell, may just stop some starting and giving us good honest ones a bad name.

Nope the cowboys will still be as busy as usual, the only ones who will be out of work will be the cleaners who where dishonest in their past life, they will have to give up their job and income and go and sign on, because the police will say they are un trustworthy.

I think the only ones that wouldnt get a license will be the ones who have been done for theft, gbh etc, not likely if youve got criminal record for speeding etc.