Building warrant fees: consultation outcome report

Background

The consultation formed part of the work undertaken by the Verification Delivery Model work stream which is one of the seven work streams being directed by the Building Standards Futures Board. The Building Standards Futures Board Programme was set up to provide guidance and direction on the development and implementation of the recommendations made by expert Review Panels in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster and construction failings in public buildings in Scotland.

The Review Panel on Compliance and Enforcement in Scotland concluded that the Scottish system is not broken but that evidence clearly shows that there was a need to strengthen the system. The Review Panel concluded that, whilst simultaneously maintaining the core elements of the system, some reshaping would be advised to ensure that it addresses the identified weaknesses. The focus of this reshaping is to improve aspects of the current system and its implementation, not to fundamentally change it. Both Review Panels identified the potential for a ‘national or central hub’ that would provide expertise in specialist and safety critical areas of the design of complex buildings.

The consultation sought to obtain views on an increase in building warrant fees which will be required to support verifiers to deliver a strengthened and improved building standards service in Scotland. It also sought views on increased fees specifically for new and enhanced verification requirements for High Risk Buildings, to support the Building Standards Hub, enhanced Scottish Government Building Standards Division (BSD) monitoring and auditing and if the local authority Building Standards enforcement role should be funded by building warrant fees. It also gathered views on whether or not fees should be devolved or set nationally to assist in informing future policy considerations.