Decision details

The Planning Manager presented the report updating the Panel on the progress being made to make alternative arrangements for the operation of the City Council’s building control operation. He advised Members that the author of the report, the Chief Officer (Regeneration and Planning), had sent his apologies for the meeting.

The Panel was informed that the City Council had been formally investigating the setting up of a shared service for building control with South Lakeland District Council (SLDC). However SLDC had advised verbally in January 2015 that there was an insufficient business case to enter into a shared service operation with the City Council and the report advised of three possible options that were available at this point. The Planning Manager explained the difficulties with two of the options and why option 2, to maintain and resource the City Council’s statutory building control duties in house and to seek to outsource the application handling process on as close to a cost neutral basis as possible, was the officer preferred option.

Members asked several questions about the non-statutory building control functions, outsourcing work, and the difference between the City Council and the private sector services.

The Panel noted the report and it was proposed by Councillor Sherlock and seconded by Councillor Scott: - 

“That the Panel recommends Option 2 to Cabinet.” 

The Panel voted in favour of the proposition and the motion was carried. 

Resolved:

(1)          That the Panel notes the position taken by South Lakeland District Council in relation to investigations into the potential for a shared building control service.

(2)          That the Panel recommends Option 2 to Cabinet.