Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration to submit a report considering a proposal for the Council’s Building Control service to be delivered by means of delegation under the Local Government Act 2000 and the Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012 (‘a delegated service’) to Blaby District Council.

Cabinet:

1)    RECOMMENDED to Council that:

1.1  Council endorse and authorise the delegation of the statutory Building  

       Control function to Blaby District Council with effect from 1st April 2022

              for an initial period of 3 years;

      1.2   The Council approves a contribution of £25,114 to the initial

              implementation costs of the delegated service;

      1.3   Council delegates authority to the Director for Growth & Regeneration

              and/or Assistant Director for Planning Delivery to:

a)    negotiate and finalise the terms of the Delegation and Service Level

      Agreements to facilitate the delegation of the service;

             b)   make any in-year variations to the delegation   agreement as 

                   deemed appropriate.

Jim Worley, Assistant Director for Planning and Delivery introduced the report, the purpose of which was to consider a proposal for the Council’s Building Control Service to be delivered by means of delegation under the Local Government Act 2000 and the Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012 (‘a delegated service’) to Blaby District Council.

Mr. Worley advised that the Council’s Building Control Service comprised of a small in-house team (1.5 officers with 0.5 administrative support) and the Service formed part of the Leicestershire Building Control Partnership (LBCP).  There were concerns over the sustainability of current arrangements and a delegated Building Control Service had been proposed.  This would result in the Council’s service being managed and administered by Blaby District Council (staffing, income, inspections, billing etc.)  The Council’s would participate in a steering committee, to ensure delivery of  the agreed Service.  This proposal was an appropriate solution to concerns.  The Council would be part of a team of 25 staff and would have the opportunity to grow the service, adjust resources within the County as necessary, share workloads, work collaboratively to produce income and to develop the Service to train staff to meet challenges.  New building control legislation would create new demands on the service, not encountered before.

Mr. Worley highlighted the financial implications of the proposed delegation of service, as detailed at section 9 of the report.  There would be a 1 off joining cost of approximately £21k (to facilitate transitional matters such as integration of staff operating as 1 larger unit etc.)  It was anticipated that costs would balance over time and the benefits such as supporting the Service and its future development were vital.

Councillor Rob Bindloss, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration highlighted that the proposed delegation would help future proof the Council’s Building Control Service and enable the Council to work collaboratively with six other local authority areas to improve capacity, capability and resilience and within the Service.  There may also be opportunities to be more competitive, with alternative suppliers, approved private inspectors etc.

The Leader commented that it was important to ensure that the Council would continue to provide an excellent Building Control Service and it had worked well with Blaby District Council in the past.

(DECISION: NON-KEY)

Cabinet:

1)    RECOMMENDED to Council that:

1.1  Council endorse and authorise the delegation of the statutory Building  

       Control function to Blaby District Council with effect from 1st April 2022

              for an initial period of 3 years;

      1.2   The Council approves a contribution of £25,114 to the initial

              implementation costs of the delegated service;

      1.3   Council delegates authority to the Director for Growth & Regeneration

              and/or Assistant Director for Planning Delivery to:

a)    negotiate and finalise the terms of the Delegation and Service Level

      Agreements to facilitate the delegation of the service;

             b)   make any in-year variations to the delegation   agreement as 

                   deemed appropriate.

Reasons for the recommendation

The recommendations will support the delivery of a delegated service across the six Local Authority areas that currently form the Leicestershire Building Control Partnership, to take effect from the 1 April 2022.

Delegation of the service alongside the five other partner Authorities is considered the most sustainable, long term, model for the future delivery and development of the service from the options available.

It will, in particular address the resilience issues faced by the current ‘in house’

operating arrangement and is considered to be the only realistic alternative approach available which would allow development of the service in the longer term.  It is considered the best option in order to be able to provide efficient and reliable service and to meet future expectations and statutory obligations.