FESTIVE LIGHTS, NONE FOR WATERLOOVILLE!

Some of you may have read previous blogs as I have tried to work my way through the bureaucracy of licensing and installation for festive lights in the town centre. In fairness the paperwork has been easier (was started in JUNE!) mainly because a lovely lady called Katie in Havant Borough Council has been helping me.

So why am I saying there will be no festive lights in Waterlooville this year? Scottish and Southern Electrics SSE!!

We have to get permission to hang the motifs from their lighting columns (also know as lamp posts!) To do that we have to get an installer approved by them!!

Our installer from last year retired and we had to find a new one. To hang, plug in and flick a switch on 8 motifs, put the lights in the Xmas tree, plug in and flick a switch, and also hang some battery powered lights in the trees (and remove) Our first quote COST £3500 Which we felt was excessive.

We did find a local installer, Clinton Electrics. They do work for Havant Borough Council. so we thought he should be reliable and safe. He gave us a cost of £1900. Expensive but worthwhile to get the lights up for the town. Then SSE stepped in insisting on a G39 certificate. When I asked Clinton Electrics if they had this certificate the response was below:

We do not hold a G39 certificate (very few electrical contractor will)

Please let your SSE contact know that we are Full NICEIC electrical contractor

and that will will not be making any alterations to the lamppost,

we will only be opening the cover and switching an Isolator on to power

the already installed 16A Commando socket.

If a G39 is insisted upon you will either have to find another contractor

or pay for the day course £500 (course fee + our time).

We don’t hold a G39 as in the 16 years I've ran my business and the 26 years

I've been in the trade I've never been asked for it

and have installed £40K of street lights for the NHS.

I sent this response to them. After 5 days of deliberation SSE have replied that he cannot be used as no G39!! I accept that we must all be kept safe but surely this is going too far.

DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW AN ELECTRICAL INSTALLER WITH A G39 WHO COULD PUT THE LIGHTS UP? who is not going to charge £3500!

I did ask SSE for a quote 2 months ago, which they never replied to. When I asked again today the response was that they no longer put up festive lighting!

As things stand no festive lighting in Waterlooville

If you write a comment on Facebook add @scottish and southern energy so they hear how the community of Waterlooville feel about this.

Waterlooville Community & Business meeting 3rd Sep 7pm

I recently asked someone why I should come to this meeting.... 'I live in Waterlooville and I have a business in Waterlooville but how can this meeting help me' I asked. You might be asking yourself the same thing, but there may be things happening in Waterlooville that you have questions about, or you might find out about things happening in the community that could have an impact on you. Councillor Tim Pike will be there, as well as members of the Waterlooville Events Team. Tim is deputy leader and also cabinet lead for regeneration of the community. Getting to know the teams of people who are working in the local community as Councillors or volunteer can really help you to know who can help with any questions. If you want your voice to be heard, is it not better to be among other community members to share ideas, share concerns or simply to find out what is going on in the area. As a business owner I confess to not truly know what is happening in the area so this is...

SUMMER FETE SUCCESS

The sun shone and the families came to see the 80 stalls, arena events, animals, dog show, horse and carriage, etc etc. What a fabulous day. Being a volunteer with Waterlooville Events team it was an exhausting day but also had a sense of satisfaction that we had achieved it for another year. The day started at 7am to put up our gazebo, then getting the toilets in place and then the stalls on the field. It calmed until we had to get them off at the end of the day. So home at 5pm for relaxation. 18 volunteers ran the day. Many before hand - booking stalls; organising arena; doing the relevant paperwork with various authorities; finding the funding; etc etc. What we need are more volunteers. Why don't you help. Many hands make light work!! Be an elf in the xmas grotto, or even be a santa!! Why not help with the Xmas event?? or help us with the brand new event in May Waterlooville Carnival in the...

BUSINESS/COMMUNITY MEETING

Business/community meeting held last night. Sadly only ONE business attended and 20 residents. Even with such a poor turn out some interesting topics were discussed and it was agreed that there should be another meeting in Mid July but at 7.30pm so that more people will be able to attend. The 5.30 start had been to encourage businesses, but that obviously failed! From the meeting: Subway being repaired;Jubilee park facilities under review - A meeting to be called to discuss way forward for the park. Wellington way- discussion on lack of parking etc. Comments can still be sent to HBC until beginning of June. Remember next meeting will be mid July, Date will be well publicised with plenty of advance notice. If still a poor turn out there will be no more!

Waterlooville Events Team

Search This Blog