Decision details

Report of the Chief Executive referring to proposals for  joint working between Mid Devon District Council and North Devon Council.

The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration  informing Members of the business case for delivering the Building Control Service through a Partnership between Mid Devon and North Devon councils for the purpose of gaining approval to prepare for a formal Partnership Agreement.

The Building Control Manager outlined the contents of the report stating that Building Control was a statutory service that operated in a highly competitive commercial environment and as such faced a range of challenges that threatened the viability of the service. Competitors had become established in the area with 31 different approved Inspectors operating in the Mid and North Devon area in 2014/15. As the market matured awareness of alternative providers was now wide spread with those procuring Building Control Services making an informed choice between suppliers. It was therefore essential that the authorities provided a service that customers valued at a competitive price that ensured that the business was sustainable.

He outlined how the Document Management systems would be re-engineered to work for both authorities, the financial implications and the business resilience case for both authorities working together.

Consideration was given to:

·         The timescales for the project

·         Unified fees

·         Governance issues

RESOLVED that:

1.     Mid Devon District Council and North Devon Councils form a Joint Executive Committee in respect of their Building Control functions to enable joint working to reduce costs and provide resilience.

2.     This matter is brought back to Cabinet, once the draft agreement (along with all other aspects of joint working on building control) with North Devon Council has been finalised, so that decisions can be made on the following in respect of a new Joint Committee:

i)       its membership and formation;

ii)     the proposed variations to the constitution; and

iii)    finalise all other details.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note:  *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.