MEMBERS’ - SNIPEF Info Booklet/MembersInfoBklet.pdf12 Skelmorlie Castle Road Skelmorlie PA17 5AH Mobile: 07801 741344 AREAS COVERED Ayr, Dumfries & Galloway, Renfrew, Kilmarnock,

MEMBERS’information booklet

delivering higher standards - improving customer care

0011//0088

Advice Service 4

Local Associations 5

SNIPEF Training Services 6

SNIPEF Training Services Regional Officers (Scotland) 7

Plumbing and Mechanical Services Training (PMST) (Northern Ireland) 8

Hire Purchase Scheme 9

Fuel Card Scheme 9

Insurance Scheme 10

SNIPEFdrive 10

Holiday and Sick Pay Schemes 11

Private Medical Insurance 12

Central Heating Maintenance Scheme 13

Plumbing Joint Industry Board 14

Peninsula Business Services 14

Plumbing Industry Pension Scheme 15

Plumbing Industry Licensing Scheme 16 - 17

Water Byelaws/Regulations Approved Contractor Scheme 18

Customer Complaints Procedure 19

This booklet has been prepared to providemembers with information on the principalservices available from SNIPEF. The list ofservices is not exhaustive and membersshould call the SNIPEF offices for full details of these and other services available.

All of the information contained within this pack is correct as at January 2008. Certain items of a financial nature (e.g. interest rates) change from time to time.Updated information will be issued to members and published on our website: www.SNIPEF.org

4 | MEMBERS’ INFORMATION BOOKLET

ADVICE SERVICE

delivering higher standards - improving customer care SNIPEF.org

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENTDepartment Head: Duncan Wilson (Assistant Secretary)

� Stephanie Lowe

who deal with:• Employment Law• Industrial Tribunals• Disputes, Misconduct, Dismissal etc• Working Rules• Wage Rates and Allowances• Daywork Rates• Taxation of Fares and Allowances• Redundancy/Lay-off• Disciplinary Rules and Procedures

TRAINING SERVICES DEPARTMENTDepartment Head: Claudine Ettles

� Lyn Forrest� Ashley Walker� Kirsten Buzarovski� Dorothy Sayers� Lesley Purvis� Denise Bryson� Lee Hamilton

who deal with:• Registration and completion of Apprentices• College Attendance• Apprentice Training Grants• Administration of Apprentice Scheme

MEMBERSHIP MARKETING & TECHNICAL DEPARTMENTDepartment Head:Alan Wilson(Head of Membership Services)

� Leslie Stark - Asst. Membership Services Manager� Anne Whitton� Lesley Cairns� Robyn Jamieson

who deal with:• Insurance• Vehicle Hire Purchase• Private Medical Insurance• Membership Enquiries• Plumbing Industry Licensing Scheme• Marketing • Technical Enquiries• Joint Industry Board Registration• Health & Safety including CSCS Scheme

FINANCE DEPARTMENTDepartment Head: Fiona Hodgson(Financial Administration Manager)

� Amanda Sanderson� Edith Tripney� Eric McIntosh� Stuart Jackson� Lauren Smith

who deal with:• Plutos Holiday Credit Scheme• Sick Pay• Annual Subscriptions

PLUMBING PENSIONS

Pension Payments/TransfersMichael Caird or Anne Lonie

Membership/Contributions/AVCsAndrena McQueen or Vivian Napier

The Mount2 Woodstock LinkBelfastBT6 8DDTel: (0)28 9073 7294 Fax: (0)28 9073 0199e-mail: [email protected]

One of the most important services provided by SNIPEF is our advice service. Members can call for advice on virtuallyany aspect of their business. In most cases our staff will be in a position to offer advice or assistance in resolving yourquery, however in the few instances where additional external assistance is required, we can usually put members in touch with an appropriate expert.

The following list summarises the contacts for the various schemes and services available to SNIPEF members.

Apprentice Training(Northern Ireland)

LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

All member firms are entitled to send a representative to General Meetings of their Local Association.The frequencyof General Meetings varies from area to area and details will be circulated by Local Secretaries to member firms.

Local Association meetings provide members with an opportunity to -

LEARN about the work of SNIPEFCOMMENT on current policy issuesSHARE their experiences with fellow membersSOCIALISE with others involved in the Industry

ABERDEEN & DISTRICTAlex Hutcheon Aberdeen & District Master Plumbers' Association248 Union StreetABERDEEN AB20 1TZTel: 01224 632423

ANGUS & KINCARDINEPaul Roberts Angus & Kincardine Master Plumbers' Association21 Church Street BRECHIN DD9 6HBTel: 01356 626277

BANFF & MORAYDavid Anderson Banff & Moray Master Plumbers' Associationc/o Ritsons & Co1A Cluny Square BUCKIE AB56 1AHTel: 01542 832212

DUNDEE & DISTRICTSandy Meiklejohn Dundee & District Master Plumbers' AssociationBank of Scotland Bldgs,34 Reform StreetDUNDEE DD1 1JRTel: 01382 229222

EDINBURGH & DISTRICTAlan Wilson SNIPEF Edinburgh & District Branch c/o SNIPEF2 Walker StreetEDINBURGH EH3 7LBTel: 0131 225 2255

FIFE & KINROSSRoss Husband Fife & Kinross MasterPlumbers' Association3 Windmill PlaceKIRKCALDY KY1 3APTel: 01592 651253

GLASGOW & WEST OF SCOTLANDFiona HodgsonGlasgow & West of ScotlandPlumbing Employers' Associationc/o SNIPEF2 Walker StreetEDINBURGH EH3 7LBTel: 0131 225 2255

INVERNESS & NORTHERN DISTRICTColin MillerInverness & Northern District Plumbers’ Association28 Redwood CourtMilton of LeysINVERNESS IV2 6HDTel: 01463 772496

LANARKSHIREJack Watson Lanarkshire Master Plumbers' AssociationUnit 3, 31 Clyde StreetCARLUKE ML8 5BATel: 01555 770957

PERTH & DISTRICTEd Miller Perth & District Master Plumbers' Association27 Maple RoadPERTH PH1 1EXTel: 01738 623722

NORTHERN IRELANDDrew Crawford Northern Ireland Master Plumbers' AssociationCrawford Sedgwick & Co38 Hill StreetBELFAST BT1 2LBTel: 02890 321731

GLASGOW & WEST OF SCOTLANDBRANCH SECRETARIES

Ayr & District Galbraith McEwan & CoAyr & District Branch23 Barns StreetAYR KA7 1XBTel: 01292 264083

KilmarnockGeorge YoungKilmarnock Branch29 Ardrossan RoadSeamillWEST KILBRIDE KA23 9NATel: 01294 822269

Southern CountiesMrs Agnes J FraserSouthern Counties Branch10 Greystone LandingDUMFRIES DG1 1PLTel: 01387 254332

MEMBERS’ INFORMATION BOOKLET | 5


SNIPEF TRAINING SERVICES (SCOTLAND)

SNIPEF Training Services Ltd is the training subsidiary of SNIPEF and acts as the Managing Agent and Training Providerfor the Modern Apprenticeship in Plumbing in Scotland.

SNIPEF Training is involved in the:

• Identification of appropriate vocational training courses• Organisation of apprentice training courses• Operation of funding arrangements • Monitoring training via a team of Regional Officers

ENTRY & ENROLMENTSchool or college leavers aged 16-19 will be guaranteed aplace on the Plumbing Programme (Skillseekers) whilstpotential apprentices aged 20 and over can also access theprogramme but all apprentices are required to be employedwith a plumbing firm. Eligibility for access to Skillseekers isdependent on the particular Local Enterprise Company (LEC) area.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIP – CONTENTThe Modern Apprenticeship in Plumbing programme offers an apprentice the opportunity to gain practical workexperience whilst undertaking training at college or trainingcentre. At college/training centre the apprentice workstowards achieving an SVQ Level 3 in MES Plumbing - arecognised vocational qualification. All assessments and courseunits are delivered at college or approved training centres.TheMA programme is designed to train apprentices in all aspectsof domestic plumbing and heating.

Each apprentice is required to meet a number of PerformanceIndicators delivered through 10 Units during the 3 yearcollege based training programme.The programme consists of modules such as Work Safety, Cold Water Systems, SiteProcedures, Heating Technology, Drawing and Design and thesuite of domestic ACS Gas Courses. All apprentices aregoverned by the Working Rules set by the Scottish andNorthern Ireland Joint Industry Board for the PlumbingIndustry.

Training includes attendance at a local college of FurtherEducation or training centre (off-the-job training) and also at an employer's premises/sites (on-the-job training).

MODERN APPRENTICESHIP – OUTCOMEEach Modern Apprentice, if successful, will gain the SQA(Scottish Qualifications Authority), Level 3 SVQ ModernApprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering Services (MES)Domestic: Plumbing and be graded by the Scottish andNorthern Ireland Joint Industry Board (SNIJIB) for theplumbing industry as a plumber.

COLLEGE/TRAINING CENTRE FEESSubject to age and LEC Funding, SNIPEF Training will meet the full cost of the 3 year college programme. ModernApprentices on the programme will receive a weekly wagefrom their employer while attending work and college andmay be eligible to receive help with travel costs to and from college.The rates of wages of apprentices are set by the SNIJIB.

SNIPEF Contacts for further information:Claudine Ettles, Lyn Forrest,Ashley Walker, Dorothy Sayers,Kirsten Buzarovski, Lesley Purvis or Lee Hamilton.



SNIPEF TRAINING SERVICES REGIONAL OFFICERS (SCOTLAND)

SNIPEF.org

SNIPEF employs eight Regional Officers whose role it is to maintain contact and monitor the apprentice's progressboth on and off the job on a quarterly basis during the first 3 years of their apprenticeship.

ROBERT BARCLAY31 Morar Crescent Bishopton PA7 5DZMobile: 07795 174770

AREAS COVERED Scottish Borders, Dunbartonshire and Forth Valley

COLIN MILLER28 Redwood CourtMilton of LeysInverness IV2 6HDMobile: 07801 741349

AREAS COVEREDInverness, Ross & Cromarty, Lochaber,Western Isles,Argyll and Skye and Lochalsh

NEIL FOXCROFT5 Culduthel Mains CircleInverness IV2 6RHMobile: 07795 314271

AREAS COVEREDCaithness, Orkney, Shetland,Badenoch & Strathspey, Perthshire and Moray

JOHN GILLIES20 Clamps TerraceSt LeonardsEast Kilbride G74 2HA Mobile: 07801 741347

AREA COVERED Glasgow City

ROSS DEWAR44 Pentland TerraceEdinburgh EH10 6HDMobile: 07801 741346

AREAS COVEREDEdinburgh & Lothian

PAUL ROBERTS21 Church Street Brechin DD9 6HBMobile: 07801 741348

AREAS COVERED Aberdeen,Angus & Kincardine,Dundee and Grampian

DOUGLAS SHEARERWoodside Cottage12 Skelmorlie Castle RoadSkelmorlie PA17 5AHMobile: 07801 741344

AREAS COVEREDAyr, Dumfries & Galloway, Renfrew,Kilmarnock, Greenock, Dunoon & Rothesay

BRUCE THOMSON100 Echline DriveSouth Queensferry EH30 9XGMobile: 07713 987894

AREAS COVERED Lanarkshire and Fife



PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL SERVICES TRAINING (PMST) (N IRELAND)

In Northern Ireland, SNIPEF has set up, in conjunction with BEST, the HVCA's training body, PMST to act as theManaging Agent and Training Provider for the delivering of the Plumbing Modern Apprenticeship.

PMST is involved in the:

• Identification of appropriate vocational training courses• Organisation of apprentice training courses• Operation of funding arrangements• Monitoring of training

ENTRY & ENROLMENTSchool or college leavers aged 16-24 will be eligible for aModern Apprenticeship in the Plumbing and MechanicalServices Industry so long as they are directly employed by a plumbing and mechanical employer.

SCOPE OF APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAMMETraining includes a mix of attendance at a local college (off-the-job training) which leads to a National VocationalQualification (NVQ) and also at an employer’s premises/site(on-the-job training). Apprentices will be monitored by aPMST Regional Officer on a quarterly basis and until theachievement of their NVQ.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIP – CONTENTThe Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programmes offerapprentices an opportunity to gain practical work experiencewhilst undertaking training at college and working towards an NVQ Level 3 qualification which is recognised by thePlumbing and Mechanical Industry.

The Modern Apprenticeship in Plumbing programme offers anapprentice the opportunity to gain practical work experiencewhilst undertaking training at college or training centre.At college/training centre the apprentice works towardsachieving an NVQ Level 3 in MES Plumbing - a recognisedvocational qualification. All assessments and course units aredelivered at college.

All apprentices are governed by the Working Rules set by the Scottish and Northern Ireland Joint Industry Board for the Plumbing Industry.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIP – OUTCOMEEach Modern Apprentice, if successful, will gain the Level 3NVQ Modern Apprenticeship in Mechanical EngineeringServices (MES) Domestic: Plumbing and be graded by theScottish and Northern Ireland Joint Industry Board (SNIJIB)for the plumbing industry as a plumber.

COLLEGE/TRAINING CENTRE FEESSubject to age and funding, the PMST will meet the full costof the 3 year college programme. Modern Apprentices on theprogramme will receive a weekly wage from their employerwhile attending work and college.The rates of wages ofapprentices are set by the SNIJIB.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIESThe Plumbing and Mechanical Services Industry operates apolicy of equal treatment including access to trainingopportunities, regardless of sex, race, religion or disabilityexcept that the individual must be reasonably fit and able intheir own best interests to meet the work and safetyrequirements of the industry.

The Mount2 Woodstock LinkBelfastBT6 8DDTel: (0)28 9073 7294 Fax: (0)28 9073 0199e-mail: [email protected]

The Mount, 2 Woodstock Link, Belfast BT6 8DD Tel: (0)28 9073 7294 Fax: (0)28 9073 0199e-mail: [email protected]


Apprentice Training(Northern Ireland)


HIRE PURCHASE SCHEMEFUEL CARD SCHEME

SNIPEF Finance Ltd is the hire purchase company operatedby SNIPEF. Members can use the hire purchase arrangementsto purchase vehicles or plant at attractive rates of interest.

HIRE PURCHASEThe minimum deposit on new and used vehicles, plant orequipment is 20% of the purchase price including VATdepending on the age and value of the vehicle. The balancecan be repaid over a period up to a maximum of 3 yearsdepending on the value of the vehicle.

To help you negotiate the best possible deal for the vehicle,members are able to negotiate directly with a garage or other vendor. Once a deal has been made, and on the receiptof a completed application form and original invoice made outin the name of SNIPEF Finance Ltd, a cheque will be issued tothe member. Monthly repayments are made by Standing Order.

There is no penalty for early settlement of any loan. Memberswill also receive a discount when they have more than onehire purchase agreement. (Applies to vehicles only).

It is important to note that member firms should contactSNIPEF Finance prior to agreeing settlement terms with thegarage or other vendor.

SNIPEF Contact for further information:Amanda Sanderson.

FUEL CARD SCHEMESNIPEF has negotiated an agreement with Abbey Group, afuel card supplier which enables members to save between 2and 3 pence per litre on diesel against the national averageprice.The scheme operates in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

SAVINGSIn addition to the immediate potential of savings on fuel bills,members who sign up for the scheme will also benefit fromadded security and reduced administration. Fuel cards fromthe SNIPEF Fuel Management Service offer a range ofrefuelling solutions to suit your needs, all offering service,savings and security.

Abbey will allocate a dedicated contact who will manage youraccount to make sure that you get the most from your fuelcards. Furthermore, the weekly pricing policy means that youbenefit from the most competitive diesel fuel prices at alltimes. One of the options also provides savings on petrolpurchases.

NO RISKSThe fuel cards also provide excellent security, with no cash atrisk and every transaction recorded, identified and reportedthrough detailed invoicing of weekly purchases.The weeklyinvoices simplify administration and VAT reporting.

For more information and to receive an application form, contact Sarah Mason of Abbey on 01235 775235 or e-mail: [email protected]



PL/EL INSURANCE SCHEMESNIPEFdrive

PL/EL INSURANCE SCHEMESNIPEF operates a Public and Employers' Liability InsuranceScheme which is managed by Willis Insurance Brokers, whoare based in Belfast and Dundee.The scheme is underwrittenby the Norwich Union and has been specifically designed to meet the needs of plumbing and heating firms.Thepreferential terms are only available to member firms.

COVER PROVIDED BY THE SCHEMEIn recent years many insurance companies have taken a veryrestrictive view of the type of work plumbing firms carry outand there is a danger that some member firms do not haveadequate cover. The SNIPEF Scheme will cover most of thetypical domestic plumbing and heating work undertaken bymembers.

WHAT DOES IT COST?One of the most attractive features of the SNIPEF scheme is the cost. A number of firms who have taken out policiesunder the scheme have saved hundreds of pounds inpremium in comparison with their previous insurance policies.Even the smallest firm could save at least the cost of its annual subscription.

The above is intended as a résumé of the salient points of the Scheme, it is not intended to be exhaustive, nor indeedrepresentative of the entire policy.

For further information and an instant quote, please contactWillis Insurance Services on 02890 895060.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PROCUREMENT SCHEME -SNIPEFdrive SNIPEF in partnership with ‘Arnold Clark Group FleetManagement’, have commenced operation of a new schemefor members called “SNIPEFdrive”.

Arnold Clark Group Fleet Management have introduced adedicated vehicle purchasing scheme, through a range ofcommercial vehicle manufacturers, with the objective ofproviding members with a high quality of service andprofessional attention when they need to add or replace anew vehicle for their business.

The Arnold Clark/SNIPEFdrive dedicated support line - 0845 601 4074 - is based in Glasgow at their Group FleetSales offices and offers a variety of services ranging fromdiscussing vehicle specifications, whole life costs and of courseproviding you with a highly competitive quotation for thevehicle of your choice.This number should be used formembers in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Please note that all enquires for the SNIPEF Scheme must gothrough the dedicated support line or the fleet managementteam.Your local Arnold Clark branch management or salesteam will be delighted to demonstrate or show you vehiclesbut WILL NOT know of this specially negotiated offer.

Full details of the vehicles and savings are available from theSNIPEFdrive Support line on 0845 601 4074 or alternatively,contact them via e-mail at [email protected]



HOLIDAY AND SICK PAY SCHEMES

HOLIDAY PAY SCHEME Plutos Holidays (1972) Ltd is the holiday pay scheme for thePlumbing Industry in Scotland and Northern Ireland throughwhich employers provide holiday pay for their employees. Allplumbing operatives including apprentices are entitled to 29days paid holidays per year and the scheme enables employersto spread the cost of holiday pay evenly throughout the year.

The Holiday Pay Scheme divides the cost of providing for the29 days holiday over 52 weeks.This means that every weekyour operative works four days or more Monday to Friday(including the time when they are on holiday) they will accrueone holiday credit. Holidays do however have to be accruedbefore being taken (2.42 days per month worked or 0.55 xper week worked).

Statements are sent to those operating the scheme everyfour weeks (always in arrears) to enable you to check if youroperative has worked four days or more for each week.Youthen check and return a copy of the statement along withpayment (cheque or BACS) for the amount due less anyadjustments.

Approximately three weeks before the holiday period we send you a statement stating the holiday pay due to eachoperative. All you will have to do is deduct the Income Taxbefore paying out the balance to your operatives.

The main pay out periods are: Christmas & New Year, Spring,May Day, Summer and Autumn also St. Patrick’s Day forNorthern Ireland companies.The scheme can pay out atdifferent times at the request of the employer.

When an employee leaves then all accrued holiday paywill be paid directly to the operative by Plutos Holidays(1972) Ltd as the holidays become due.Therefore if youhave operated the scheme for the operative you neednot pay any holiday pay to him on his date of leaving.

SICK PAYThe holiday credit sum includes a sickness portion, whichprovides daily sick pay for plumbing operatives or apprenticescovered by the Scheme. If an operative has 26 credits fromthe current credit year he/she will be entitled to £18.00 per day for a maximum of 140 days in the current year.Apprentices receive sick pay on a sliding scale irrespective of their credit position.

BENEFITS OF THE SCHEMES • No National Insurance is paid by the company or the

employee on holiday pay paid through the scheme.This is a significant annual saving to both the employer and employee over the year.

• All 29 days of annual holiday are covered by the Scheme.• Minimal administration – the Scheme calculates all

holidays due and the holiday credit amounts to be paid to each employee.

• Maximum 140 days sick pay per annum for operatives and apprentices payable in addition to any Statutory Sick Pay.

• All owners, partners, directors etc who operate the Scheme for their employees, are eligible to claim sick pay on their own behalf.

SNIPEF Contacts for further information:Edith Tripney or Stuart Jackson.



PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE

As a member of SNIPEF you can access affordable PrivateMedical Insurance.Through an arrangement we have madewith Blythwood Insurance Brokers, you can now purchasemedical insurance cover at rates which are significantlydiscounted compared to the normal costs of the standardIndividual Cover Rates.

WHAT IS COVERED? Full details of the available cover can be provided on request,but in summary you would receive cover for :

Out-patient

Consultations

Physiotherapy

Diagnostic Tests

MRI/CT/PET Scans

In-Patient Additional Benefits

Private Ambulance

Accommodation

Theatre Charges

Nursing

Home Nursing

Consultations

Parent Accommodation

NHS Cash Benefit

HOW MUCH DOES COVER COST?Much less than you would expect! Tables A and B below showthe cover available, however, the rate you pay depends on theexcess and out-patients cover you agree to.

At a time when there are still waiting lists for NHS treatment,Private Medical Insurance offers you the reassurance ofknowing that if you or your family suffer an illness, you canhave speedy access to medical treatment at a time andlocation to suit you.

There are currently three options for the scheme:

OPTION 1 No excess £1,000 outpatient coverOPTION 2 No excess £1,500 outpatient coverOPTION 3 £100 excess £1,000 outpatient cover

SNIPEF Contact for further information: Robyn Jamieson

PRODUCT BENEFITS – BUPA SELECT CORE PRODUCT DAYCASE/INPATIENT TREATMENT

OUTPATIENT TREATMENT

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

KEY AREAS NOT COVERED – BUPA SELECT CORE PRODUCT – OPTION 1, 2 and 3

Hospital Charges

Consultants/Specialists’ Fees

Diagnostic Tests

Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy

Consultants’ Fees for consultations

OPTION 1 OPTION 2

Diagnostic Tests

Therapists (Physiotherapy and other therapies)

Complementary Medicines

Outpatient Surgical Procedures

Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy

MRI, CT & PET Scans

Psychiatric Treatment

Parent Accommodation

Home Nursing

Private Ambulance

NHS Cash Benefit

Paid in full within Partnership Network Hospitals

Up to £1,000 Up to £1,500

Max of £250 from out-patient limit No Limit

Paid in full

After two years membership, up to 45 days inpatienttreatment via pre-authorisation and outpatient treatmentout of £1,000 limit

Children under age 12

Up to £2,000

£80 per trip

£50 per night, 35 night max

Pre-existing Conditions

Chronic Conditions

Treatment in non-network hospital

Generally Excluded

Generally Excluded

Subject to Limits

Table A

Table B



CENTRAL HEATING MAINTENANCE SCHEME

CENTRAL HEATING MAINTENANCEThe scheme which is provided via Domestic & GeneralInsurance enables you to offer protection to your customersto pay for repair work which may be required to their heating systems.

HOW DOES IT WORK?Members apply to Domestic & General to operate as anauthorised agent. Once accepted Domestic & General willsupply you with sales leaflets which will allow you to promotethe scheme to your customers.

If and when a breakdown occurs, your customer wouldcontact you and you would carry out the repair. No charge is made to the customer and you submit an invoice directly to Domestic & General for payment.

IMPORTANT POINTS• Boiler control and central heating system cover is available.• Up to £750 of repairs can be carried out in any one year

of cover.• A pre-inspection is required if system protection is

requested.• Repairs are undertaken by the installer or service

contractor who sells the scheme.• An extended guarantee upon installation can be offered

which can extend the period of cover up to four years.• Annual cover is available for existing boilers (this covers

conventional boilers up to 15 years old and combination or condensing boilers up to 8 years old).

• Once in force the plan can be renewed for the boiler's entire working life.

• There is no excess to pay if a claim is made and claims do not affect future renewal fees. The customer is not penalised for claiming.

• A contribution is made by Domestic & General if a boiler is beyond economical repair or if parts for repairs are no longer available.

• Credit card or direct debit payment options are available.• A £10 commission is payable per plan to each selling agent

and a similar commission to each agent for every renewal.• The customer is advised on the plan wording to contact

the installer or selling agent to report breakdowns and getrepairs undertaken.

For an application form contact:Domestic & General on 0870 600 8088.



PLUMBING JOINT INDUSTRY BOARDPENINSULA BUSINESS SERVICES

PLUMBING JOINT INDUSTRY BOARDMembers of SNIPEF automatically become members of theScottish and Northern Ireland Joint Industry Board for thePlumbing Industry (SNIJIB).

The Joint Industry Board is the body which regulates wages,allowances and conditions of employment for all plumbingoperatives and apprentices in Scotland and Northern Ireland.The Working Rules of the Plumbing Industry contain details of the conditions of employment (e.g. holiday entitlement,sick pay, working hours).

The Working Rules are applicable to all firms in the Industry,not just SNIPEF members.

All operatives employed by member firms should possess aRegistration card issued by the Joint Industry Board. If youroperatives are not currently registered, you should request a supply of application forms from the Joint Industry Board.

All plumbing apprentices need to be registered with theBoard using the appropriate Agreement of ApprenticeshipForm.The form should be signed by the employer and the apprentice and returned to the SNIPEF offices forregistration purposes.

SNIPEF Contacts for further information:Leslie Stark or Anne Whitton.

PENINSULA BUSINESS SERVICESSNIPEF has an arrangement with Peninsula Business ServicesLtd, specialists in employment and health and safety advice,which provides an advice and assessment service formembers' personnel and health and safety requirements.

As part of the service, Peninsula will:• Visit your premises and review the statement of written

terms and conditions of employment you have issued to your employees to ensure that this complies with current legislation.Where no contracts exist, Peninsula will provide written statements for all your employees.

• Provide employment and management handbooks which will contain contractual terms and a copy of the Industry's Working Rules.

• Undertake annual visits to ensure that businesses are operating the agreed procedures properly.

• Provide a 24 hour, 365 day a year Hotline Number which will provide you with support on either employment or health and safety issues.

Should an ex-employee complain to an Employment Tribunal,Peninsula will visit your premises, take statements and collatethe facts, prepare the case, brief witnesses, undertake researchand represent you at the Tribunal.The indemnity coverprovided means that compensation awards and legal costs aremet in full by Peninsula.

For more information contact Peninsula as follows:Scotland – Gordon Anderson 07966 112108Northern Ireland – Gordon Bradley 07966 112117



PLUMBING INDUSTRYPENSION SCHEME

INTRODUCTIONThe Working Rules of the Scottish & Northern Ireland Joint Industry Board for the Plumbing Industry require allemployers of plumbing labour to operate the IndustryPension Scheme or a private equivalent in respect of allplumbing operatives and apprentices. Since 1988 individualemployees have had the right to opt out of their employer'spension scheme in favour of either a personal pension or the State Scheme. Individual employees who do opt out will usually lose the benefit of their employer's contribution (7.5% of earnings) and will not be covered for death-in-service benefit.

Firms who employ plumbing labour and do not satisfy thisWorking Rule run very considerable risks and could be facedwith claims for loss of death benefit and loss of pensionbenefit from their employees or the dependants of anyemployees who died while in the employment of the firm(regardless of the cause of death).

BENEFITSThe Industry Scheme provides substantial additional earningsrelated benefits to those provided by the Earnings RelatedState Scheme as follows:-

PENSION CREDITS ON ALL EARNINGS FOR THE YEARAll earnings earn pension credits at the rate of 1.25% perannum whereas only those earnings within the band betweenlower and upper earnings limits are covered by the additionalEarnings Related State Pension.

Under the State Scheme, pension is based on the pensioncredit position at the end of the previous year on 5th April.If someone retires in the course of a year they will receive nopension credit in respect of contributions during that year.Under the Industry Scheme, pension includes a pension creditin respect of such part year up to actual date of retiral.

PENSION AT NORMAL RETIREMENT AGEIn the Industry Scheme all earnings earn pension credits at the rate of 1.25% (1/80th) per annum.These credits arebonused each year in line with increases in inflation.Theamount of pension is likely to be significantly higher thanunder the Earnings Related State Scheme.

LUMP SUM ON RETIREMENTThe Industry Scheme provides a lump sum on retirement.There is no lump sum under the Earnings Related StateScheme.

PENSION GUARANTEED FOR 5 YEARS Under the Industry Scheme, if a member dies within 5 yearsof retirement, their widow or dependants will receive a lumpsum in place of the full pension for the remaining period.The pension paid to the widow will then be at the widow'spension rate of 50% of the member's pension.

Under the Earnings Related State Scheme there is no suchguarantee. State Pension stops immediately on death andwidows receives the widow's pension of 50% of thedeceased's pension.

WIDOW'S PENSIONS Under the Industry Scheme, the widow’s pension is 50% ofthe member’s pension credits at date of death but under theEarnings Related State Scheme this percentage only applies toa widow over age 50. No widow under age 40 receives anywidow’s pension at all and only a sliding scale up to 50% ofhusband’s pension credits between age 40 and 50.

DEPENDANT'S BENEFITSWhere there is no widow the Industry Scheme will pay anequivalent benefit to a dependant. There is no such provisionin the Earnings Related State Scheme.

LUMP SUM DEATH IN SERVICEThe Industry Scheme pays lump sum death in service benefitsof twice the annual graded rate of wages. There is no suchbenefit under the Earnings Related State Scheme.

CHILDREN'S BENEFITSIn the event of a member's death in service, the IndustryScheme pays 1% per annum of lump sum death benefit ofAdvanced Plumber (basic scale) for up to 4 children to age16. If no widow, a widow's pension will also be paid untilyoungest child reaches age 16.

Contacts for Pension Payments/Transfers:Michael Caird or Anne Lonie

Contacts for Membership/Contributions/AVCs:Andrena McQueen or Vivian Napier



PLUMBING INDUSTRY LICENSING SCHEME

The Plumbing Industry Licensing Scheme was established in2002 to increase the professionalism of the plumbing industry. A number of partner organisations were involved inits development including Scottish Water, the Scottish andNorthern Ireland Consumer Councils and Trading Standards.There was also significant input and support from the Scottish Executive.

LICENSED BUSINESS CRITERIAAll Licensed Businesses must meet the following criteria:

USE OF COMPETENT OPERATIVESAll operatives carrying out plumbing work must hold acurrent SNIJIB Registration Card (or provide other evidenceof competence acceptable to the Licensing Board).

WATER BYELAWS/REGULATIONS QUALIFICATIONSEach Licensed Business must employ at least one operative who holds an approved certificate in Water Byelaws/Regulations training.The ratio of trainedoperatives is as follows:-

GAS WORKLicensed Businesses carrying out gas must be registered withCORGI and ensure that all operatives who undertake gaswork hold the appropriate ACS qualifications.

PUBLIC AND EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY INSURANCELicensed Businesses are required to hold Public LiabilityInsurance of at least £2m and Employers' Liability Insurancewhere necessary.The name of your insurer/broker andinsurance policy number should be confirmed to the Schemeso that an annual check can be made to ensure your businesscontinues to hold appropriate insurance.

FINANCIAL INTEGRITYLicensed Businesses are required to submit, on an annualbasis, a Financial Integrity Statement or an extract fromaudited accounts signed by a qualified auditor or accountant,or alternatively you can advise the Scheme of the name ofyour auditor or accountant and we will contact them.

COMPLIANCE WITH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTSLicensed Businesses will be required to carry out work inaccordance with the following:-

i) Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.ii) Water Byelaws (Scotland) 2000 and/or Water Regulations

(N Ireland).iii) Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.iv) The Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990, as

amended and the Building (Scotland) Act 1959, as amended.The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1990/1994, as amended and The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order 1979, as amended.

v) Health & Safety at Work Act 1974/Health & Safety at Work Northern Ireland Order 1978.

vi) Equal Opportunities, Race Relations etc.vii) Any other Regulations relevant to work undertaken.

Total number of operatives in the firm incl LOSCs

No. of Operatives who requireWater Byelaws/Regulations

1 - 5

6 - 10

11 - 15

16 - 20

21 - 25

26 - 30

31+

1

2

3

4

5

6

8



PLUMBING INDUSTRY LICENSING SCHEMECONTINUED

WATER BYELAWS/REGULATIONS APPROVEDCONTRACTOR SCHEMELicensed Businesses automatically become Approved Contractors under the terms of the Water Byelaws/Regulations and must act as an ApprovedContractor in every case where work is being carried out which is covered by the Water Byelaws/Regulations.

Licensed Businesses must issue their customers with aCertificate of Compliance for all work included in thecertification process.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURELicensed Businesses are required to comply with theScheme's Independent Complaints Resolution Procedure.Any complaints received may be referred to the LicensingBoard Complaints Panel for consideration and resolution.See page 19 for more information on the complaintsprocedure.

Licensed Businesses must advise customers of thecomplaints procedure before taking any other action and also respond in writing to any customer complaint.Licensed Businesses are also required to abide by thedecision of the Complaints Panel.

SERVICE CHARTERLicensed Businesses are required to carry out work inaccordance with a Service Charter.

USE OF STANDARD AND FAIR CONDITIONS OF CONTRACTThe Licensing Board is developing a set of standard conditionsfor domestic work which will be recommended for use byLicensed Businesses.

In commercial contracts, it is recommended that LicensedBusinesses use the standard forms available from the ScottishBuilding Contracts Committee (SBCC) or Joint ContractsTribunal (JCT).

INSPECTION OF WORKInspection of work, by technically qualified individuals, will beundertaken by the Scheme on a random basis. The numberand frequency of inspections will reflect the value, type ofwork and the geographical spread of Licensed Businesses.Inspections will also be undertaken in response to customercomplaints.

DISCIPLINARY CODELicensed Businesses are subject to the terms of the Scheme'sDisciplinary Code.

Contacts for further information:Leslie Stark or Anne Whitton

CONSTRUCTION LICENSING EXECUTIVE (CLE)The Construction Industry in Scotland has recognised thebenefits of licensing and as a result has established theConstruction Licensing Executive (CLE).The CLE overseeseach of the individual Industry Sector Schemes and thePlumbing Industry Scheme has been approved by the CLE to operate in Scotland.The CLE has the full backing of theScottish Government.

For further information visit www.clescotland.co.uk



WATER BYELAWS/REGULATIONSAPPROVED CONTRACTOR SCHEME

INTRODUCTIONOn becoming a SNIPEF Licensed Plumbing Business your firmwill also become an Approved Contractor under the ScottishWater Byelaws and Northern Ireland Water Regulations.

As an Approved Contractor, you are able to “self-certify” thatyour work has been carried out in accordance with the WaterByelaws/Regulations.You will receive a pack containing fullinformation about the scheme as well as copies of WaterByelaws/Regulations Compliance Certificates which you mustissue after completing plumbing work listed on the certificates.

SCOTTISH WATER AND NORTHERN IRELAND WATERBoth support the use of plumbers who are registered with the Plumbing Industry Licensing Scheme.They alsorecommend the use of licensed plumbers when consumerscarry out any work to their plumbing system. Only a licensedplumber will be able to certify that the work completedmeets the requirements of Water Byelaws/Regulations.Thismeans that any contraventions of Water Byelaws/Regulationswill be the responsibility of the licensed plumber.

Northern Ireland Water and Scottish Water also providesupport and advice to SNIPEF in relation to WaterByelaws/Regulations and the management of the LicensedPlumbing Business Scheme. Protecting customers isimportant to SNIPEF, Scottish Water and Northern IrelandWater and all participate in the Plumbing Industry LicensingScheme complaints resolution process.

SCHEME RULES• You need to issue a Certificate for all plumbing work

specified on the Water Byelaws/Regulations Certificates.• Certificates should be completed in blue or black ink.• The person who signs the Certificate must hold a

qualification in Water Byelaws or Regulations (such as the BPEC/WRAS Certificate) and must have either completed the work or supervised its installation.

• Full details of the location of the work must be completed.• The Certificate should be issued on completion of the

work or at the end of agreed phases.• The Certificate must be issued to the person(s) who

instructed the work.• Copies of the completed Certificate must be kept by the

company for at least two years after the completion of thework. These Certificates may be subject to audit by the Plumbing Industry Licensing Scheme.

SNIPEF Contact for further information:Alan Wilson on 0131 225 2255



CUSTOMER COMPLAINTSPROCEDURE

INTRODUCTIONAll complaints made against either Licensed PlumbingBusinesses or SNIPEF member are dealt with by the PlumbingIndustry Licensing Scheme. SNIPEF has no direct involvementin complaints and the Scheme's Customer Liaison OfficerRichard Graves is not employed by SNIPEF and reportsdirectly to the Chairman of the Complaints Panel.

THE PROCEDUREIf one of your customers makes a complaint against yourbusiness and you cannot resolve the issue, you are required to advise the customer of the Complaints Scheme and allowthe Customer Liaison Officer (CLO) an opportunity to HELPYOU and the customer settle your differences without eitherside resorting to lengthy or costly legal action.

If a complaint is made, the CLO will issue the customer with a Conciliation Request Form (CRF) on which the customerdetails their complaint. On receipt of the CRF, the CLO willthen contact the SNIPEF Licensed Business or SNIPEFmember and ask them to respond to him in writing, within 14 days, on the issues raised.The Customer Liaison Officerwill then attempt to resolve the complaint through a processof mediation.The CLO will maintain contact with youthroughout this period.

COMPLAINTS PANELIf the Customer Liaison Officer is unable to resolve anylegitimate complaint then he can refer the matter to thePlumbing Industry Licensing Scheme Complaints Panel.The Panel, which is wholly independent, is made up of onerepresentative from each of the following organisations:

• The Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland

• The Scottish & Northern Ireland Consumer Councils• Scottish Water• The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering• Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers'

Federation• Northern Ireland Water

When a complaint is referred to the Complaints Panel, it willbe provided with a copy of all the documents which havebeen received.

The Panel will then review the documents and afterdiscussion, agree to either uphold or reject the complaint.Occasionally the panel may decide that it requires aninspection of the work to be carried out to provide moreinformation to assist it in making its decision.

If such an inspection is requested, a Technical Inspector will beappointed by the Customer Liaison Officer on behalf of thePanel.The Inspector will make arrangements to inspect thework and will speak to both parties about the issues whichare in dispute.

Once he has completed his inspection the Technical Inspectorwill then submit his report to the Complaints Panel which willreconsider the issues of the complaint taking into account theTechnical Inspector's report and all the other correspondence.The Complaints Panel will thereafter issue its decision.

IMPLEMENTATION OF PANEL’S DECISIONIf it is decided that remedial work has to be undertaken thenthe member firm will be given the opportunity to carry outthese remedial works. If the member refuses to carry out theworks or there is an unnecessary delay in carrying out theworks, then this may be referred to the Scheme's warrantyarrangements for resolution and the firm will be subject todisciplinary action.

Contact for further information:Richard Graves on 0845 8381583.



2 Walker Street • Edinburgh EH3 7LBTel: 0131 225 2255 • Fax: 0131 226 7638E-mail: [email protected]

delivering higher standards - improving customer care

Documents

MEMBERS’ - SNIPEF Info Booklet/MembersInfoBklet.pdf12 Skelmorlie Castle Road Skelmorlie PA17 5AH Mobile: 07801 741344 AREAS COVERED Ayr, Dumfries & Galloway, Renfrew, Kilmarnock,