Agenda and minutes

Councillor Chitty was elected Chairman for 2021/22.

Councillor Gibson was elected Vice-Chairman for 2021/22.

There were none.

To approve the record of the meeting held on 11 March 2021.

The record of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 March 2021 was agreed and signed by the Chairman as correct

Members are invited to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Significant Interests in accordance with the Member Code of Conduct.  Guidance on this is set out in agenda item 3.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

There were none.

This report seeks to inform Members of the performance and financial information for the year 2020/2021.

Discussion:

Members considered the Partnership’s annual report for 2020/2021.

In response to a question about the likely impact on the Partnership of the Building Safety Regulator proposed in the Building Safety Bill, Members were advised that the Regulator would oversee performance and have responsibility for improving the competence of people involved in the construction and management of higher risk buildings. The Regulator would be able to request councils to support its work and this would impact on the Partnership’s resources in terms of staff and finances. There were concerns there would not be enough surveyors in the post Grenfell environment and also that there would be onerous demands on staff to undertake training. There was a risk people might leave the profession or choose not to progress to a senior surveyor role.

The point was made that the professional bodies should be asked how they managed the information they were required to record and monitor so that they met their legal responsibilities.

It was queried whether there was a need for extra insurance to protect staff given the increased accountability for those in the industry in the light of the Bill and in the event of any prosecutions for manslaughter. The Director of the Partnership advised that liability insurance was in place which covered this.

In terms of what representations were being made to the Government, Members were advised that the Local Authority Building Control organisation was making representations. A suggestion that the Chief Executives of the four councils be asked to also make representations expressing the Committee’s concerns was approved.

Decision:

The Committee agreed to:

a)      note the report.

b)      request the Chief Executives of the four partner authorities to make representations to the Government expressing the Committee’s concerns about the impact of the Building Safety Bill.

Reasons for Decision:

The Constitution requires the Joint Committee to maintain a monitoring role on the progress of the partnership.

This report seeks agreement to the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership’s Business Plan and Service Delivery Documentation for 2021-2024.

Discussion:

Members considered a report seeking approval of the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership’s Business Plan and Service Delivery Documentation for 2021-2024.

Decision:

The Committee agreed to adopt the 2021-24 Business Plan and Service Delivery Documentation for 2021-2024.

Reasons for Decision:

The Joint Committee has a duty under the Memorandum of Agreement to formally adopt the Business Plan at the Annual General Meeting.

To note the schedule of meetings as agreed at the last meeting:

16 September 2021 at 10am

2 December 2021 at 10am

10 March 2022 at 10am

The Committee agreed to:

a)    note the schedule of meetings agreed at the last meeting:

16 September 2021 at 10am

2 December 2021 at 10am

10 March 2022 at 10am

b)    note the appointment of Bhupinder Gill as Medway Council’s Monitoring Officer.