The governments consultation relating to the proposed changes to the Building control System closes on 27th April 2012, the upshot is an improvement to efficiency in the system and encouraging developers and interested parties to take a greater responsibility, listed below is a summary of the proposals:
- To require local authorities to issue completion certificates (where work complies) and within a specified period, proposed at not more than 8 weeks.
- Amending the wording on completion/ final certificates to make it clearer of the effect of such certificates.
- Replacing Local Authority statutory notifications with a service plan concept agreed between the LA and person carry out the work.
- Removing the requirement for a Warranty provider where Approved Inspectors are the Building Control Body for new and converted developments for sale or rent.
- Extending the time limit for Local Authorities to prosecute from two years to three and extending the time limit from 6months to 1 year from the time that sufficient evidence to be available.
- Increasing the fine for prosecutions (currently level 5 - £5000 each)..amount yet to be decided.
- Extending the time limit to rectify contraventions from 1 year to 3.
- Introduction of Civil sanctions for contraventions, including fixed monetary penalties, Variable monetary penalties, Compliance notices, Restoration notices, stop notices and enforcement undertaking.
- Extending further the competent persons schemes framework - particularly to support the introduction of the Green Deal, in addition possibly introducing specialist third party certification, on example being considered is the Structural Engineers Register.
- And Finally there is consideration being given to introducing Appointed Persons on a voluntary basis to act as an interface between on site construction and Building Control.
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