As a result of receiving a number of complaints against Mr Robert Bruce McLelland, Director of Golden Valley Utilities Ltd., Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards Service has taken action under the Enterprise Act 2002 to protect the interests of consumers.
These complaints related to the poor standard of work by his landscaping and paving business and the general lack of any reasonable care and skill in work that he undertook.
Most of his customers had to have the work re-done and in one case a wall collapsed just after it had been built, which could have resulted in serious injury.
As all attempts by Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards Service to consult with Mr McLelland and persuade him to resolve the complaints and to trade fairly were fruitless, the authority had no alternative but to go to court and seek an enforcement order under the Enterprise Act.
Mr McLelland is now forbidden from undertaking any contract for the provision of Goods and Services without reasonable care and skill or to act in a negligent manner.
This order not only applies to Mr McLelland and to his company Golden Valley Utilities ltd., but it also covers any of his future trading activities nationally.
Any subsequent breach of an enforcement order can result in contempt of court proceedings with penalties imposed of unlimited fines and or, up to two years imprisonment.
Cllr Phil Edwards, Cabinet Member (Environment), said: “We try to work together with businesses to resolve any such complaints amicably and this is often the case.
“However, in situations where a trader refuses to comply with the law and abide by their contractual obligations, then court action will always be considered.
“The Enterprise Act empowers the Trading Standards Service to take action against those traders who act to the detriment of the community and are undertaking ‘Rogue Trading’ activities,” he added.
Anyone with a complaint against Mr McLelland for any contracts entered into after May 18 2006 should contact Enforcement Officer Tereza Atyeo on (01432) 383229.