Minutes:
Max McCarthy from (CNC) Building Control explained to the forum that there have been a number of staffing changes, some of which may have had an impact on performance. There have been six new staff recruited in the last four months and it is hoped that through communication between developers and the CNC staff, a good working relationship can be achieved. It is hoped that any performance issues which have been encountered, will be eradicated through the strengthening of the team.
Nick Harding pointed out that Fenland District Council, started having the building control function supplied by CNC in 2015 and this has been extended to 2022/23. He highlighted that recruitment issues appear to be across the board and virtually every local authority that runs a building control service is encountering issues with recruitment. He added that he is encouraged to hear that CNC has an active training programme in place for the development of staff.
The point was raised that following an inspection by building control, the agents/developers are not provided with any paperwork to show that a site has passed its inspection.
The Chairman agreed that he has been involved with a site where the drains were inspected at an early stage and when the final inspection took place, it was a different inspector who wanted to re inspect items which had already been approved and the applicant has no proof or evidence that items have been signed off as there is no correspondence provided.
Max from CNC added that it is a common area of concern which is raised that there is a lack of continuity with regard to the consistency of Inspectors attending sites and that is looking to be addressed. Firstly the aim is to achieve staffing levels where the consistency can be put in place. He added that within the automated back office function there maybe systems which can be introduced to provide a communication stream between the applicant and building control.
The Chairman asked whether there is currently the facility to book an inspection on line and Max confirmed that there is the facility and also an app, however it is not used as much as it could be. It was agreed that the link would be circulated with the action schedule.
http://www.cncbuildingcontrol.gov.uk/
A question and discussion surrounding the clarity over the subject of surface water drainage and where building control sits in relation to the interaction with the local authority, the LLFA and Middle Level Commissioners took place.
The Chairman added that there appears to be issues with regard to the local land charges that Middle Level add being cleared, and the standards that Middle Level adopt in terms of the design that they want for soakaways, compared with the standards that Building Control require. It was established that soakaways should be designed for 100 years plus climate change (for a new dwelling).
It was agreed that a separate meeting should take place with Middle Level, CNC and FDC to discuss the issues being encountered and then to produce a guidance sheet for developers, which supports the flood authority and building control in their current approach and also supports the growth of the District.
It was also decided that a member of the Forum also be invited to the meeting along with the LLFA, in order to have a Fenland approach.
Max added that there is a planned legislation change later in the year following the Grenfell outcome. The scope may include what is deemed as high risk buildings, as opposed to just high rise, and currently there is no clear definition and it may just mean complex buildings, which are classed as outside the sphere of domestic buildings.