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« **Reply #120 on:** March 16, 2009, 09:22:13 pm »

Here Goes

Hows that

« **Reply #121 on:** March 16, 2009, 09:23:30 pm »

Dave, I'll trust your judgement on the FWC, since you obviously know far more about it (and the saga) than I do.

I shall not be negative about them in the future.

Regards,

Tosh.

« **Reply #122 on:** March 16, 2009, 09:29:14 pm »

YWCS

For your information, I have not locked a single post for about 6 weeks , nor do i ever lock a thread unless I can t be bothered to unpick all the swearing and insultive posts.

Hang on i feel another frown coming on

« **Reply #123 on:** March 16, 2009, 09:29:34 pm »

« **Reply #124 on:** March 16, 2009, 09:36:07 pm »

The person who created the thread can also lock a post, also it has been known to accidently lock a post as my post button is right next to my lock button.

You also see as it was pointed out to me it was instantly unlocked without any fuss, just look at Toshs other post where he locked it himself.

« **Reply #125 on:** March 16, 2009, 09:39:08 pm »

Ask Tosh about me, he knows me, ask anyone who knows me they will tell you I am chilled, ask my staff, nothing dictatorial about me whatsoever.

« **Reply #126 on:** March 16, 2009, 09:41:32 pm »

Yes, and I still think licensing for England is a bad idea. Just look at what the poor Sweaties (Jocks) moan about where you have different licensing areas; zoned too; so you don't just pay for one license; but a multitude of them depending on the areas you work in.

PS.

Dave is a proper big barstewart; big guy, big mouth; not shy!

And I feel safe typing this behind my computer screen at least 100 miles from where he can find me.

« **Reply #127 on:** March 17, 2009, 06:06:17 am »

I dont think anyone would have any bother finding u tosh with ur outfits

« **Reply #128 on:** March 17, 2009, 01:41:55 pm »

OK back to the original question.

If the licence was introduced into England, Wales and Northern Ireland and it was enforced with all the powers that the councils have and can apply, these are some of the ideas they might use.

1 They can break their areas into different zones, and you will end up paying to work in each zones, instead of just 1 council area (this is already happening).

2 They can dictate what vechicle you should use, so for you who use a car to carry your ladders, you might have to buy a van.

3 They can dictate that your vechicle undergoes a separate vechicle road safety test (this will affect those who use wfp)

4 You will have a search carried out on your past, and if it is not squeaky clean, you could find yourself out of business.

5 They could have different fees for the type of work you do (domestic or commercial being charged differently)

6 They could insist that you have a yearly medical, which you will have to pay for.

7 They could insist that all your equipment is inspected and tested every year (you will have to pay for this)

8 If you have not upto date on your Council Tax Bill, they could revke your licence (this is also being carried out)

9 If you are a council tenant and you are behind on your rent, they could revoke your licence.

10 If you owe a council parking fine, your licence could be revoked.

11 They could insist that you are trained in the safe way of using ladders or wfp (you will have t pay for this)

The list goes on and on, on what they could do, and they might not do all of the above, but I bet they will do some of them.

If you want a licence and you want that licence to work, then it is going to cost you, and the fees that are being charged at the moment are not enough to cover that cost, so the fees will have to be increased.

Vote YES at your own PERIL, because as soon as the licence happens, there is no going back.

« **Reply #129 on:** March 17, 2009, 05:11:56 pm »

Quote from: NWH on March 05, 2009, 09:36:47 pm

It would prevent them from going after commercial work as it would be illegal to employ them.

do you think a business cares? i know loads of people in scotland large comapnies working for banks who dont have a licence.

« **Reply #130 on:** March 17, 2009, 05:22:52 pm »

I voted no. I am an ex construction worker who has seen CSCS be forced upon us with no real benefit to the tradesman, just a money spinner for the government which is really what these licences will end up being. They wont stop the wc that we would rather see out of the trade for claiming benefits and working etc etc just like part p has not stopped none licenced sparkys wiring your bathrooms up.
Its madness, you should not need a licence to be a chippy, spread, sparky or a wc. I do agree that something needs to be done to try and stop the cowboys/uninsured etc.

« **Reply #131 on:** March 17, 2009, 05:37:47 pm »

I think most people look into the license in a negative way instead of a positive way. What is it you want from the licence and lets be reasonable here and not for personnel interest.

You need to take your window cleaning hats off and put your business hat on and find what would grow your business.

Lets take for example a National licence, what are the benefits to me the sole trader. Not much as a National licence would cost a lot more than a single licence, probably around £400 per year. The only people it would benefit would be the Nationals. I only work in 5 areas so total cost to me would be around £200.

Now business head on protecting the sole trader like myself. A lot of local window cleaners are loosing business as corperate businesses are now issuing contracts as a National contract. Before it used to be the local store manager that found the local window cleaner. This is now disappearing as local businesses cannot compete with Nationals.

Now if a National had the contract and was able to pay for a National licence they would probably keep the work in house. If they had to fork out on individual licences then they would more than likely tender it out to the local window cleaner. In the end the local window cleaner wins with a single licence.

There are two sides to every story but you need to way the pros and cons. There are more sole traders than Nationals so in theory it should benefit the sole trader than the National. This is just one example of many

What we all have to think what would improve our industry.

Now the big issue which a lot have, COUNCILS DO NOT HAVE THE FINAL SAY IN RUNNING THE LICENCE. This is where a strong body needs to represent window cleaners and repel any changes they bring in that can damage the industry. IT CAN BE DONE.

The only time when it cannot if it has already been passed as law which makes it harder to reverse.

Licensing or whatever tool this industry needs can be achieved to benefit us but it will not please all as it is human nature to be negative and never look at the positive benefits.

These are just my thoughts but no one yet has said if licensing was to be introduced they want it run this way. We just look at the issues with Councils and as I have said they do not have the final say. We the members of the public have more power but you need to know what proceedures to go through.

« **Reply #132 on:** March 17, 2009, 05:53:00 pm »

all fair but no one is punishing the big nationals at all. They clean all public building just about plus the parliament also. They do what they want and the councils dont give a flying feck man!!

« **Reply #133 on:** March 17, 2009, 05:57:55 pm »

Yes they are and they are now getting very unhappy.

Quite a few pics of Mitie up and down the country are sitting in "to be caught" box of the local authorities

« **Reply #134 on:** March 17, 2009, 06:01:52 pm »

what about them other mobs i told ye about?

also whats the drill with having to go all the way through to west lothian to have my pic taken.

« **Reply #135 on:** March 17, 2009, 06:18:15 pm »

I did hear local community Police Officers in some areas of North Lanark have been checking window cleaners. The mob you informed us seem to be licensed but checking if they have licensed their employees.

There is nothing on the West Lothian application stating you need to go there to have your pic taken, who gave you this info please.

« **Reply #136 on:** March 18, 2009, 10:29:33 am »

woman on the phone told me i had to go through to their offices to have picture taken. Shge said they changed it a fe wmonths ago. It seems they do what they want

« **Reply #137 on:** March 18, 2009, 03:00:30 pm »

I voted yes and would be in favour if it was enforced. But, I doubt it would be and I doubt it would even happen.

Good idea though.

Does it stop the doley, beer money gang in Scotland???

« **Reply #138 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:40:37 pm »

bump for DA can you find out about this west lothian cooncil

« **Reply #139 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:47:01 pm »

Will do. I'm with you one this one and 100% sure it is illegal what they are doing. What tends to happen some trade must be scamming the system eg:Taxi Drivers but it does not warrant doing it for all trades.

Poll

Who would be in favour?