The government looks set to consult the industry on proposals to allow local authority building control officers to work across their borders, in a move that is likely to split the profession.
Sources say the Department for Communities and Local Government is drawing up plans for the consultation following the announcement to parliament by Nick Boles, the parliamentary under-secretary of state, that his department would look into ways of enabling local authorities to provide building control services across local authority boundaries. The minister is understood to be going down this route following suggestions made by industry during the consultation for the Red Tape Challenge.
However, there are fears that allowing cross-border working will lead to fee cutting as Building Control departments compete with each other for the work.
Paul Everall, chief executive of Local Authority Building Control, said: “I think there are a mixed range of views within our membership. There are those who think that it will lead to more jobs for LABC, and take work away from approved inspectors and therefore welcome it. Others, though, prefer the status quo on the grounds there is enough competition already without having to compete with neighbouring authorities.”
“There is no doubt that there is concern that it will lead to greater fee competition – which could lead to lower inspection rates.”
One building control officer said: “I don’t think any people in the profession think that freeing up local authorities is a good idea, it would certainly lead to chaos, and could seriously disadvantage small authorities.”
“My understanding is that if there is a consultation that will be in May time and if it is adopted then it will form part of the Deregulation Bill in the autumn,” added Everall. “The topic will be on the agenda at our forthcoming conference in March.”
Making the announcement to parliament, Boles said that in response to the Red Tape Challenge on housing and construction, that of “the 206 regulations on which we consulted, and following a rigorous challenge process, we propose to scrap 68 and amend or improve 32. These figures, which represent a 49% reduction or improvement in the regulatory landscape, come alongside a package of other measures proposed in response to public feedback and discussion with external partners. Details have been placed in the Library of the House.”
