Issue - meetings

Report DR18/1057

The Committee considered a report which sought permission from the Executive to review the current Building Control Service.  As part of the agreed Gateway process for determining the method that offered the best value and quality for delivering Services (in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Operating principles), the report provided a high level options appraisal of the Building Control Service.

The key options to be considered included:

Option 1 – Undertake a review of the service with the intention of continuing an improved internal service;

Option 2 - Stop providing Building Control Services;

Option 3 – Commission Building Control Services; or

Option 4- Enter into a Shared Service with another Local Authority.

It was recommended that a full review of the service (Option 1) be undertaken including the potential to operate a Shared Service Model (Option 4). This would include updating and improving the service by using better technology.

The Strategic Commissioning Manager gave an overview of the report. 

Members were informed that since September 2018, the Head of Building Control post was currently being filled by a secondment arrangement with the London Borough of Bexley.  This had proved successful and Bexley were supportive of the service review proposal.

Paragraph 4.2 under the Options Appraisal (page 46), referred to recommendations from the Hackett Review (following the Grenfell tragedy).  These recommendations were likely to be based on fire safety and the size of developments.

In regard to Options 2 and 3, it was reported that whilst there were organisations to whom the service could be commissioned, it was unlikely to attract interest due to the fact that the Building (Local Authorities Charging) Regulations 2010 prohibited contract providers from making a profit on chargeable services within Building Control. 

It was possible for elements of the service to be outsourced, however the Council would first need to resolve issues within the Department before this could be considered.  Alternately, the Council could privately operate the service but again, problems within the Department would require attention.

The Chairman considered Option 3 (to commission Building Control Services) should be disregarded.  As the Team consisted of just seven staff, the need for a Head of Building Control was doubtful and he suggested a less senior position be established.

Members agreed that Option1 – to review the service with the intention of continuing an improved internal service was worth undertaking.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and Members’ comments be provided to the Executive for consideration.

Members asked that the recommendations be approved and that consideration given in the longer term should include potential commissioning of the service.