Working for the County Council

[Douggym]

We, Southbourne Men's Shed, have recently been approached by our neighbour, an infants school. to build a 'wellie rack' to hold several pairs of wellies to dry out. This is the most recent of several jobs we have done for them. Last year we made two Story Chairs saving the school about £900.00. The budget for the Wellie Rack was £500.00 and our quote to the school was just over half the amount. West Sussex County Council have apparently refused to release the funds claiming that the Men's Shed cannot build the rack and the job must be passed to a 'Professional company'. It appears that our members who are in the Guild of Master Builders do not have sufficient experience or skills to do the simple job. Has any Shed had similar experience and if so, how did you proceed?

[Terri Gagarin-Rawlings]

Have you written directly to the Council and given them full details of your status and capabilities? A professional approach is surely the way forward. Good luck, Terri

[Lois Prior]

We seem to have similar issues with our local council. We are looking to take on possibly two council buildings which they are either going to 'dispose of' or have nobody to maintain them. To change a light bulb you are required to contact their approved building firm who will charge £80 for the privileged. They also feel that because the access is also a rarely used parking area, the men's shed should need to bollard the access walkway off, yet other site users dont have that requirement. It's frustrating to say the least but all councils are scared of being sued by the public. I would ask what requirements the council need to be an 'approved trader' - it may not be that much.

[Alan Hawkins (Poole)]

It is a tricky area making things for sale and Local Authorities are always worried about being sued, especially after the Grenfell Tower fire. Our Council use volunteers and in recent development a Community Interest Company CIC was set up where public were at the point of sale.  We have helpful Community Voluntary Services CVS who help set this up but more bureaucracy in afraid.
What would happen if you donated the wellie rack?  Realise you are raising funds and not an option.
As previous comment can you get the Council to list who would be qualified.
One bit of advice we were given was "don't get involved with the Council", but inevitably we have had to.

[SMS Network Coordinator]

Posted by Steve Redrup on behalf of Test Valley Men's Shed

One of our members has previous experience of this. It would appear that anything to do with children has to be made to certifiable standards.  Whilst there is probably nothing untoward about your construction, you have no way of certifying it to relevant standard whatever that may be.  The council by accepting it would make themselves legally liable if any child was harmed.  I'm no lawyer but this is my understanding of their stance.
Dave John
 Test Valley Mens Shed