Section: Repairs & Improvements
Building Control Reforms Proposed
The Government launched a major modernisation of the Building Control system with the publication of a paper detailing its vision for how the system can be improved.
The Future for Building Control sets out a package of options that the Government is keen to develop further, and invites interested parties to provide suggestions on how reform should proceed. The publication follows detailed discussions with key members of industry on the strengths and weaknesses of the current system, which have highlighted the strong case for reform.
The paper recognises a number of important shortcomings with the current system including the lack of a clear future vision for the purpose of Building Control, the current piecemeal approach to regulatory change and the complexity of guidance. Problems with achieving compliance and with effective enforcement are also highlighted as key areas for action.
Amongst those ideas included in the package are options for:
- Providing greater enforcement powers for local authorities to tackle persistent offenders.
- Further helping with compliance by providing simple customer focused guidance that helps with specific building work or types of problems.
- Moving away from a piecemeal approach to building regulation review and towards a longer fixed-term cycle with planned pauses and a clear indication of future changes.
- Formulating options for making sure that building control bodies are properly resourced into the future.
A study document was also published - Achieving Building Standards - which has fed into the Government's analysis of the current system.
Repairs Delayed 19 Months
Basildon Council took over 19 months to repair roof leaks and rotten windows in a bungalow. In his report, Local Government Ombudsman Tony Redmond finds fault by the Council, but is pleased to say the Council has agreed to implement his recommendations.
Mr and Mrs B complained that the Council delayed carrying out repairs to the windows, roof and shed at their Council-owned bungalow. There were delays totalling 19 months attending to the repairs. For some of that time, Mr and Mrs B were unable to use their lounge because of the roof leaks. Mr B has severe arthritis that is affected by cold or damp conditions.
The Ombudsman finds maladministration by the Council causing injustice. There were unacceptable delays in completing repairs, which must have severely impacted on Mr and Mrs B's ability to enjoy living in their home - which was both cold and damp for a period of at least 19 months.
The Council agreed to the following:
- to complete the works needed to the roof, windows and shed as soon as possible;
- to review the recently revised and improved monitoring and record-keeping procedures within its repairs team to ensure incidents such as these do not occur in the future; and
- to pay Mr and Mrs Boxer £1,000 compensation to reflect the injustice they were caused when living in unsatisfactory housing conditions for 19 months longer than they otherwise should have done.
Local Government Ombudsman Report 06/A/13667
© Copyright 1996 - 2008 UK Housing Ltd. Housing Monthly Diary
Issue: May 2007 Reporting on March-April 2007
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