GMB calls for tenants to provide evidence over pubco tenant self-regulation deal

GMB has set up a mobile app​ that will allow tenants to provide confidential information regarding their own experience with their pubco and whether they have seen any improvements since the self-regulation deal was introduced last year.

The call comes as business minister Vince Cable has written to all of those involved in the self-regulation deal asking for details on the implementation. The industry has until 23 November to provide details.

The four questions from Vince Cable are as follows:

1. What action has been taken, and is planned, by the governing board of PICAS to promote and maintain awareness among licensees of the availability of mediation and arbitration services in relation to any matter relating to the Framework and Company Codes. Any facts you can share, consistent with commercial confidentiality, of binding decisions already made by PICAS would also be welcome?
2. What action has been taken, and is planned, by the large pubcos (those with over 500 pubs) to maintain awareness among licensees of their rights under the code, including of the specific improvements introduced in December 2012 through version 5 of the Industry Framework Code in relation to rents, insurance, dilapidations and training, including pre-entry training; of the legally binding nature of the code; and of licensees’ right to binding arbitration. I would be interested to know what further improvements the industry is proposing to include in version 6 of the code, designed to further improve transparency and fairness for tenants and when will these be implemented?
3. What progress have the British Institute of Innkeeping made in preparing for their code re-accreditation role and what is the status of the necessary agreements with the industry on how the re-accreditation process will work?
4. What action, if any, is being taken under the leadership of the BII to set up a Pubs Advisory Service for licensees, further to the Pubs Advisory Service already set up under the leadership of Chris Wright and others?

Dave Mountford, GMB branch secretary, said: “GMB is disappointed at the weak questions posed by Vince Cable to members of the industry regarding self-regulation. GMB is also very concerned that the list of organisations being consulted does not include any organisation that directly represents tenants.

"The “App” can be viewed through a normal Web Browser or through an I Phone and the information requested relates to disputes between the tenant and their pubco and how they are resolved. There is an opportunity to give a very detailed response outlining the issue at hand and the tenants comments on how they view self-regulation is working.

Whilst all the information given is strictly confidential it is important that we are provided with means of verifying the individual and therefore being able to confirm their points are valid.”