Construction Licensing Executive

The CLE and why its needed
The industry has attempted for many years to combat rogue traders but there is still too many opportunities for the cowboy to operate, which leads to the industry to search even more intensively for an effective and long lasting solution to the problem.

With the introduction of the CLE we are confident that the scourge of these "cowboys" will be dealt a serious blow. The CLE was created by the industry in Scotland who had a desire to face up to the problem of Rogue Traders. Already parallels are being drawn with the role that ABTA play in travel and tourism with the introduction of scrutiny, which is independent from any industry trade bodies, thereby giving clients confidence in using quality contractors who provide appropriate redress should problems arise.

Who are the CLE
They are a Board made up from the various bodies, which are listed below, it is an influential group which provides a powerful message to all clients. They laid down and vigorously controlled the stringent criteria which the Scottish Decorators Federation had to completely satisfy to enable us to be given license awarding body status.

Industry Trade Associations
Scottish Decorators Federation (SDF)
Scottish Electrical Contractors Association (SELECT)
Scotland & Northern Ireland Plumbers Association (SNIPEF)
Scottish Building
National Specialist Contractors Association (NSCC) Scottish Committee

Consumer Bodies & Observers
Scottish Executive Building standards Division
Scottish Executive Enterprise & Lifelong Learning
Society of Chief Trading Standards Officers in Scotland
Scottish Association of Chief Building control Officers
Scottish Consumer Council
Council of Mortgage Lenders
Health & Safety Executive
STUC
Association of British Insurers
Civil Engineering Contractors Association
Royal Institute of Architects n Scotland
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland

The Licensing conditions, which Contractors must achieve are enshrined within the Scheme for the Scottish Painting & Decorating Industry in Scotland (The Scheme). This lays down the minimum criteria which contractors must meet to be awarded a license.

Contractors must be able to prove their Technical and Operative competence, their financial security and be able to offer to customers either an SDF Warranty or an independent Insurance backed warranty. Contractors must agree and abide by a code of conduct, the customer charter and the Schemes customer complaint procedures. Contractors must use, and provide all domestic clients an original Scottish Decorators Contracts, abide by all his statutory obligations, provide a minimum of £2m Public Liability insurance cover and where required Employee Insurance cover. All contractor requirements are covered in other sections of this publication.

The Registration Board for the Scheme set the criteria for the Painting and Decorating Industry. They will meet to view and approve or reject the applications they will also oversee all complaints. They will deal with disciplinary matters hear any appeals and set any sanctions on errant license holders up to and including revoking a license.

SDF                        4 Nominations
Manufacturers          2 Nominations
Surveyors                1 Nomination
Union                      1 Nomination
Architects                1 Nomination
Others                     2 Nominations
Lawyers                   1 Nomination
Educationalists         1 Nomination

It is likely that over time this board will expand to include other interested bodies or parties.

The 10 assessment criteria for entry to the CLE consists of the following:

1. Technical Competence
2. Operative Competence
3. Financial Probity
4. Agreement to abide by the Code of Conduct & Customer Charter
5. Agreement to abide by the Complaints Procedure
6. Use the Scottish Decorators Contract for domestic work and provide a Warranty
7. Abide by all statutory requirements including Health & Safety
8. Provide evidence of Public liability insurance of at least £2m and comply with Employers Liability insurance statutory requirements
9. Agree to the disciplinary Code
10. Conduct or undertake training

The only way to ensure a contractors Technical Competence is by inspection