Window Cleaner Directory Licensing in Scotland About SLWCN The Scottish Licensed Window Cleaners Network (SLWCN) was launched on the 1st March 2006. We are an independently run, self-funding, internet-based network. The SLWCN is dedicated to raising the profile and standard of the window cleaning industry in Scotland. As an independent network, the SLWCN is working closely with various organisations in order to improve the window cleaning industry for genuine, professionally minded licensed window cleaners. Organisations we are working alongside with include other window cleaning associations, the Scottish Executive, Local Authorities, Health and Safety Executive, Scottish Police Forces, the media and Industry and Commerce. The SLWCN also feel it is important that the general public and local businesses are made aware of current legislation relating to the window cleaning industry in Scotland. We are launching a public awareness campaign with the aim of reducing the number of unscrupulous, unlicensed window cleaners currently working within our industry. This should result in a raised professional profile and bring our industry standard in line with other trades. Licensing and Law It is felt by some Authorities in Scotland that licensing of window cleaners is necessary as window cleaners have direct access to members of the public’s property on a regular basis. Police Departments also see the need to licence window cleaners as a preventative crime measure. As a result, each window cleaner who wishes to operate in these areas has to abide by the Disclosure Scotland Act and are checked by the Licensing Officer in each police division for past and present convictions. The Licensing Officer will then advise whether the applicant is deemed suitable to hold a licence. If the Licensing Officer has reason to feel that a licence should not be issued, the applicant should appear before the Council Licensing Committee, who will make the final decision as to whether the applicant can hold a licence. In Council areas where a licence is required, every window cleaner operating in that area must hold the relevant licence. This means that, if a window cleaner wishes to work in several areas, he/she will require to hold a licence for each area. The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 c45 covers the licensing of window cleaners and therefore it is law that window cleaners are required to be licensed. Section 43 states: - ‘A licence, to be known as a “window cleaner’s licence” shall be required for carrying on the trade of, or being employed as, a window cleaner.’ This means that anyone who trades as a window cleaner, whether a sole trader or employee, is required by law to be licensed. Some Authorities also require the company itself to hold a licence and, as a result, there are 3 types of licence - Business, Employee and SoleTrader. Section 2 states :- ‘The licensing authority shall be the local authority within whose area the activity is, or is to be, carried on.’ This covers the requirement that a licence should be held for the Council area a window cleaner is operating in. Simply put, if a window cleaner wishes to operate in Glasgow and Edinburgh, a licence will need to obtained from both Glasgow City Council and the City of Edinburgh Council. Section 5 states :- ‘(4) An authorised officer of a licensing authority or a constable may require any person who the officer or constable has reasonable ground to believe is carrying on an activity which requires to be licensed to produce his licence within 5 days of being required to do so. (5) Any person who, having been required under subsection (4) above to produce a licence, fails without reasonable excuse to do so within the period of 5 days specified in that subsection shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale.’ Therefore, anyone who does not have a licence in the area he/she is trading in can be convicted and fined up to £2000. In summary, any individual or company that trades as window cleaners is required by law to hold the relevant Council’s licence for those areas in which they operate. Failure to do so can lead to prosecution and conviction. SLWCN’s Mission The SLWCN is working towards enforcement of the licence with the full support of the Scottish Government and ACPOS.Under direction of these bodies, we are working closely with local Councils and Police forces to achieve this goal. Although enforcement is the primary objective, the SLWCN is also working with Councils to promote licensed window cleaners. SLWCN’s key objectives are to: 1) Ensure enforcement of the licence 2) Increase public awareness 3) Reduce the lead time in which licenses are issued 4) Have each Council operate a 1yr and 3 yr licence 5) Introduce a discount system if licences are applied for in more than one area 6) Introduce either a National Licence or a Divisional Police Force licence. E.g. Central Scotland Police would run a licence for Falkirk, Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire SLWCN News · Strathclyde Police are now taking action against unlicensed window cleaners in Renfrewshire. A number of unlicensed window cleaners have been identified and will appear in Court in the near future. · West Lothian Police is now looking into carrying out spot checks with Central Scotland Police. · Council Business Directories have been changed to show only licensed window cleaners · SLWCN will be addressing Edinburgh Council in December · Licensed window cleaners and companies can now be viewed on the SLWCN Directory SLWCN would like to advise all window cleaners in Scotland to ensure they have the required Councils’ licenses. Licensed window cleaners are invited to join the SLWCN, currently without charge, in order to voice their concerns regarding the issues currently affecting our industry. Please visit our website at www.slwcn.org Return to Directory |