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Council to stamp out rogue traders

One council in the North East is inviting businesses to come forward and prove their worth, in a bid to stamp out rogue traders.

Gateshead Council is launching a Registered Trader Scheme to promote the best and most trustworthy home repair businesses in the region.

A list of traders, including builders, roofers, plumbers and gardeners is being compiled, having passed tests to ensure they are reputable. This is hoped to increase business for genuine practices and form ties with the community.

Anneliese Hutchinson, Head of Regulatory Services for Gateshead Council, said: “We regularly receive requests from people for names of approved or registered traders.

“The launch of the scheme means we can offer the public a list of tradespeople who have been carefully vetted and who are committed to our code of practice.”

The new arrangement allows businesses to join for free but they will be reviewed regularly and required to abide by a strict code. They will also face a series of checks, such as County Court Judgment vetting and ensuring memberships to Trade Associations.

Coun Peter Mole has backed the new scheme and believes it will be a valuable service to older residents and business in the area.

He said: “By offering a list of local traders our older or more vulnerable residents can feel more confident about finding a trustworthy trader to work on their homes.”

The Registered Trader Scheme has been set up with funding support from the government’s Link Age Plus scheme, which is aimed at tackling social exclusion among people aged over 50.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .