Our Commitment to You

Summary

We are committed to provide a positive and responsive customer orientated service which is cost effective. We constantly strive to deliver the highest possible quality service in the following areas:-

• Processing Applications
• Site Inspection of Building Works
• Enforcement of Building Regulations
• Dangerous Structures
• Safety at Sports Grounds
• Street Naming and Property Numbering
• Public Entertainment and Justices Licensing

Processing Applications

Applications under the Regulations can be by either a Full Plans submission or a Building Notice.  When we receive plans, they are checked to see if they comply with the technical aspects of the Regulations. We have to make a decision on these plans within the statutory period of 5 weeks. This can be extended to 2 months with your agreement. We pledge to:

• provide a free pre-application consultation service
• advise you of any necessary amendments to your application to enable approval
• respond to domestic applications within 3 weeks
• respond to commercial applications within 5 weeks
• issue SAP energy ratings for new dwellings free of charge
• issue nationally accepted house type approvals under the LANTAC scheme
• allow the submission of applications on disk or electronically on CAD systems (Submitting an application form online)

Site Inspection of Building Works

Building Control inspects building work in progress to continually check for compliance with the Regulations. There is a legal requirement for persons carrying out building work to notify the Council once they have reached various key stages. We pledge to:

• respond to telephone requests for inspections
• provide a same day inspection service for requests received before 12 noon
• carry out all inspections within 24 hours
• inspect all key elements of work
• provide on site a record book of inspections carried out (large commercial/housing projects)
• try our best to tailor our inspection service to meet developers specific needs
• issue a completion certificate when building works have been satisfactorily completed

Enforcement of Building Regulations

The Council is required to enforce building regulations by Acts of Parliament and can prosecute in cases of non-compliance. We pledge to:

• carry out our enforcement responsibilities in a fair, equitable and consistent manner
• provide a high level inspection service that can identify non-complying building works at a n early stage
• provide practical advice on how non-compliance with the Regulations can best be resolved
• carry out enforcement in accordance with our procedural guidelines (copies available on request)
• instigate legal proceedings as a matter of last resort

Dangerous Structures

The Council is legally obliged to respond to situations where people are considered to be at risk. These risks include dangerous or defective buildings or structures; and defined premises that are unsecured from entry. We pledge to:

• provide a 24 hour call out service on reported imminently dangerous buildings and structures
• investigate any reported unsecured premises (non-domestic)
• instigate necessary action to remove any danger to the public and to secure premises

Safety at Sports Grounds

The Council has a legal requirement to ensure public safety at specified sporting venues. This is achieved by issuing safety certificates for regulated stands and football grounds. We pledge to:

• issue and have in effect a safety certificate prior to and during any controlled sporting event
• continually inspect the regulated venues and monitor the effectiveness of the safety certificate
• where necessary, instigate immediate actions to secure public safety

Street Naming and Property Numbering

The Council is empowered to issue street names and to allocate numbers to property following new building development. We pledge to:

• provide an effective postal address service
• be accountable and take into consideration the views of others by use of the Councils consultative processes

Public Entertainment and Justices Licensing

Building Control provides an advice service to the licensing authorities on matters that affect public safety such as structural design and fire safety. We pledge to:

• provide an effective consultation service in the interests of public protection

Building Control Services - Customer Charter 2008

• Customer Charter 2008

Customer Service Commitment

• Customer Service Commitment 2009
• Customer Service Commitment 2010