Service Charter

Building Control Undertaking
Developer's Undertaking
Participating Authorities

Building Control Undertaking

The Thames Gateway and Kent Building Control Group together with the London and Essex Building Services Association are committed to providing the Building Industry with a fast impartial, efficient and cost-effective Building Control service. To help deliver this service, this Charter has been prepared to the commitment to the partnership essential to ensure quality developments.

Advice

Pre-application advice will be available, acting as an integral part of the design team.
We will facilitate a Partnering arrangement with an individual Local Authority at the request of the developer and will be supported by a regional network as necessary.
We will nominate a Project Officer to deal with the project from conception through to completion. We will facilitate in liaising with other organisations and agencies, including Council departments related to the development throughout the life of the project.
All members of the Group will actively promote the Lantac type approval scheme and will issue approvals when requested.
Local site histories and knowledge will be made available to the developer. If unexpected problems arise on site, then consultation can be arranged within two hours.

Plan Stage

We welcome early discussion on appropriate charges and give positive consideration to requests for stage payments.
We aim to acknowledge receipt and validate all applications within two working days.
We aim to check all applications within 10 working days.
We aim to approve your application and will in all cases give advice as to the requirements of the regulations.
We will provide technical guidance to ensure uniformity of interpretation.

Inspections

Special arrangements can be made and an inspection service agreed to suit your requirements which can include out of hours inspections if required.
A site inspection record book will be provided for each site if required and will be completed by the visiting Building Control Officer for your retention following completion.
All inspections requested before 10am will be carried out that day. This would normally be by the Project Officer.
Inspections can be arranged by telephone, fax or any other electronic means.
Completion Certificates of a high quality will be issued free of charge.
The Project Officer will be available to participate in workshops and construction update meetings.

Feedback

We actively encourage feedback on the service provided; if you are not fully satisfied with our service a written response giving a full explanation and detailing action will be provided within 10 working days.
Where a dispute arises on technical issues, a Panel will be formed to conciliate between the Local Authority and the developer concerned.
We actively encourage regular service review meetings.

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Developer's Undertaking

The Developer is committed to providing a quality Development and one which meets with the requirements of the Building Regulations. To assist in this aim, this part of the Charter has been prepared to highlight the commitment to the partnership essential to successfully deliver the development.

Pre-Submission

Early involvement in the design process to assist in interpretation of the Building Regulations particularly with regard to Fire Safety, Access for Disabled and other siting and design issues which affect the fundamental design of the project.

Application Stage

Provide all necessary information to determine the application.
As much information as possible before the commencement of each stage of the development to enable an appraisal to be made wherever possible before work on that stage is carried out.
Highlight where information is not available and request that a conditional or stage approval as appropriate is given.
Provide the relevant charge or agreed stage payment.
Provide a programme of the project.

Work in Progress

Give as much notice as possible of all stages of the project.
Provide a point of contact on site.
Co-operate in the provision of one-site facilities for inspecting officers to enhance working relationships between both parties.
Access to site record book.
Provide access and facilities to enable the carr ying out of inspections.
Actively encourage open and frank working relationships to assist in resolving problems that affect building regulation matters.

Completion

On completion provide a set of as built plans.
Resolve all outstanding conditions particularly in respect of structural calculations.

Signed by of

on behalf of All Partcipating Authorities

Signed on behalf of the Developer

Company