Building Warrant Fees: consultation

More and more work is being entailed into delivering a suitable (and dedicated) Building Warrant system.
Including more detailed plan inspection.

As the Building Standards workforce is top heavy (age wise) --we need to recruit suitable candidates nwho enjoy and are interested in the future of the building trade.

A Building Standard Hub will provide a 'centre' for all Authorities to go to/double-check queries which may arise.
The Hub also provides a 'first port of call' for agent queries with regard to STAS, etc.

If applicants/agents are being asked to provide additional monies -- it should be 'clear' to where this goes and what it improves.

We have to ensure that procedures are in place to show that the increase in monies are worthwhile.

These type of buildings usually have pre-app discussions - whilst this may help overcome possible problems/future problems, this still takes time away from verifiers/Authorities from doing other works (that come with every project).

These larger projects usually come in Stages (i.e. Fire Strategy, foundations., substructure, etc) -- once on site the contractors keep working (to deadlines, etc) - but if they commence the substructure (for example) before the foundations have been approved ---- the whole remainder of the building will be put a risk (and also may have to be served with an Enforcement Notice) to stop works.

Enforcement action/compliance is a very important part of ensuring a building is erected in compliance with the relevant Standards. This is something the Building Standards can 'fall back' on should a problem arise on site - which may be insurmountable.

Due to age - more and more buildings & structures are becoming either dangerous or defective to which the Authorities have to spend more and more time researching through records for ownership before knowing who to deal with (otherwise having to carry out the works themselves and having to burden the cost)

As materials have most times have to be brought in from abroad/adjoining countries/adjoining counties -- and mostly the common materials (sand, etc) are truly local.

We have to ensure that especially the disabled are assessed with regards as to warrant fees

With regards as to the above assessment -- it will be argued that any increase in fee will have an increase in the costs of works. -- But this is 'across the board' - as prices of materials are at the moment (even in the mainland) are well above any estimated fee submitted by an Agent.

It is only the high paid/wealthy that at the moment are applying for new houses/developments,
whilst the lower paid only go for extension to their properties (if need be).

The only thing I can think of is that of affordable housing -- which is unusually carried out by Local Authorities & Housing developers/associations.