Building standards - building warrant fees: consultation

Part 3: Building Standards Enforcement

Overview

Building standards staff are also involved in statutory aspects of building standards delivery (e.g., enforcement activity) and other wider local authority responsibilities (e.g., licensing, safety at sports grounds).

The statutory obligations relating to building standards for which fees are not charged include enforcement and the maintenance of the building standards register. The majority of local authority verifier teams are expected to fund both the verification and local authority statutory enforcement roles through building warrant fee income.

The Enforcement and Compliance Review Panel recommended that local authorities must demonstrate a much greater preparedness to apply penalties for serious or continuous non-compliance (within the building warrant process). As part of the proposal, to provide enhanced and consistent enforcement activity within the building standards system, we are seeking views on formally funding the building standards statutory enforcement role through the building warrant fee. This will inform policy development and decisions on resources for building standards enforcement.

Question 3.1 - Should a portion of building warrant fees be used to fund the local authority compliance enforcement role but only as it relates to the building warrant process?

Yes

No

Unsure

Please select only one answer and provide your reasoning in the box below.

Question 3.2 - Should a portion of building warrant fees be used to fund the local authority building standards wider statutory role covering both building warrant compliance enforcement and dangerous and defective buildings?

Yes

No

Unsure

Please select only one answer and provide your reasoning in the box below.