Decision details

This report will present the initial draft of the South Thames Gateway Building Control Business Plan 2011/2014 for consideration by the Building Control Joint Committee.

Background:

The Director of the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership presented a report that sought agreement to the draft South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership's Business Plan.

The business plan outlined how the building control function would be delivered for the three partnership Councils. It identified five main objectives for 2012/14 and contained delivery plans for each, together with actions. It was noted that the Partnership's constitution required the Joint Committee to approve and send its draft business plan for the following year to each partner authority for comments before 1 October each year.

The Director provided an overview of the business plan and explained that having prepared a three-year plan last year the opportunity had been taken to refresh it with current data and statistics and review progress against each objective whilst developing new strategies to accommodate new challenges. As the plan was taken through the approval process this data would continue to be updated. The inclusion of a financial model for 2012/2013 – 2014/2015 and benchmarking information was highlighted and it was noted that an IT Strategy would be developed. The Director also updated Members on the Partnership’s accommodation arrangements.

The outcome of a Diversity Impact Assessment screening was attached to the report and it was noted that this showed that a full Diversity Impact Assessment was not necessary.

The Joint Committee considered the business plan and the future of the Building Control Partnership. It was noted that the Partnership’s agreement was due to expire at the end of September 2012. The Joint Committee Members discussed and supported the continuation of the Partnership and stressed the importance of members of the Officers Steering Group taking reports to the respective authorities as soon as possible to take this forward. The Committee also considered and supported the potential expansion of the Partnership and requested that the Director of the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership liaise with neighbouring authorities accordingly.

Decision:

a)               The Joint Committee approved the South Thames Gateway Building Control Business Plan for consultation as set out in the summary of this report.

b)               The Joint Committee supported the continuation of the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership and requested that members of the Officers Steering Group submit reports to their respective authorities as soon as possible to take this matter forward.

c)               The Joint Committee requested that the Director of the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership speak to neighbouring authorities as to their potential inclusion within the Partnership (with a caveat that any costs arising from redundancies/retirement payments would not be transferred to the South Thames Gateway Partnership in the event of joining the Partnership).

Reasons:

The Joint Committee has a duty under the Memorandum of Agreement to formally consult with partner authorities on the draft business plan.