Complaints against the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board relating to a disciplinary levy, continuing professional development and refusal of licensing for non-payment of fee or levy

Mr Wal Gordon complained to the Ombudsman on 14 July 2011 that the licensing conditions imposed by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board regarding continuing professional development were illegal. He asked that the scheme be stopped immediately.

Mr Gordon further complained on 4 August 2011 that the Board had unlawfully collected a disciplinary levy from him. He asked that: the practice cease immediately, a written apology for wrongdoing be made, and he be refunded the disciplinary levy he had paid since October 2010.

On 20 March 2012 Mr Gordon made a further complaint about the Board imposing a “mandatory system” as a condition of licensing preventing applicants having their applications reviewed by the Board if they have not paid the prescribed fee and levy.

I issued a provisional opinion on these complaints to Mr Gordon and the Board on 14 September 2012. I also sent a copy of that opinion to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. I received and considered responses from Mr Gordon, the Board and the Ministry before finalising this opinion.