Paul Wilkins, Chair of the ACAI and Chief Executive at Butler and Young Group, summarises the latest developments and challenges for the building control sector
Building Control is now enjoying a quiet period before the results of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment enquiry into new build housing (APPG) are announced in May 2016; the results of the Red Tape Review are announced and the recommendations of the Working Group ‘Future of Building Control’ are considered by the Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC).
One of the early outcomes from the APPG is that the Building Regulations Performance Standards Advisory Group (BCPSAG) have been asked to look at a standard providing guidance on the release of records from the Building Control Process. There is no doubt that this is a challenge in the context of the dual building control system and the contractual nature of the design and construction process, but we hope for a positive and constructive outcome.
The Future of Building Control working group are still working hard to recommend changes to the building control process that will serve to bring the dual systems closer together, reduce confusion and administrative burden for the public and industry, and ensure the long term resilience of public sector building control. The outcome of the Red Tape Review should be announced any day now and it will be interesting to see the impact on both planning and building control.
As many of you are aware, the Housing and Planning Bill has provision for allowing the processing of planning applications by alternative providers and interestingly the associated consultation documents cite the introduction of Approved Inspectors into the building control system as an example of how effective competition and choice for consumers can be introduced into a statutory process. In fact, it even introduces the term ‘Approved Provider’ as a potential option. It will be interesting to see how this progresses.
All of the above initiatives provide interesting challenges and opportunities for both planning and building control but perhaps the biggest challenge for the future is ensuring the long term resilience of these professions, and indeed the wider construction trades and professions, in terms of capability and resources. Attracting young people to enter our industry is difficult as it is not perceived as attractive as some others, and we all need to work together to change this perception.
With regard to building control I know that some in the private sector are working hard to attract apprentices and graduates as they are driven by commercial need to service their clients. I’m also aware that our friends at LABC are working on a number of initiatives in the difficult context of restricted public sector finances.
With this specific challenge ahead, I think there are opportunities for the public and private sector to work much closer together, ensuring capability and resources of all Building Control Bodies are aligned with local and project need, ensuring that effective customer facing building control is delivered. England & Wales enjoys an effective and valued independent third party building control process and with the full engagement of all those involved we can ensure this continues long into the future. ■
Paul Wilkins
Chief Executive at Butler and Young Group
Chairman at Association of Consultant Approved Inspectors (ACAI)
chairman@approvedinspectors.org.uk
