“Local authorities will cease to be able to undertake a building control function post April 6,” warned LABC chief executive Lorna Stimpson in a letter to HSE and government chiefs
The building control system in England and Wales is facing imminent collapse, warned LABC’s Lorna Stimpson in a letter to SE director of building safety Philip White, DLUHC deputy director Camilla Sheldon, and the Welsh government.
As the 6 April 2024 deadline for registration with the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR) approaches, LABC has raised concerns that a “significant number” of building control professionals will not achieve certification and registration in time- leaving a severe deficit of those able to legally perform building control work in England and Wales.
“The picture does not currently look encouraging”
In the letter, Lorna states: “LABC is undertaking an urgent review of the position of all local authorities in England and Wales, to determine their position with regards to the number of surveyors likely to be certified and registered prior to the deadline – the picture does not currently look encouraging.”
Despite the “best efforts” of LABC, the Building Safety Competence Foundation (BSCF) and two other independent assessment bodies to speed up applications, the deadline will not be met by many.
The impacts of this could be wide-ranging, with ongoing construction projects not being inspected, leaving onsite and post-project at risk.
The letter also criticised the list of sanctions and penalties for Registered Building Inspectors, which could precipitate “an even greater loss of surveyors from the profession”.
Delaying the deadline could prevent the building control system collapse
As a result, the LABC said it would “strongly encourage” BSR, DLUHC and the Welsh government” to delay implementation of the registration of building control professionals by at least six months.
Stimpson has previously warned about an “exodus” of experienced building control surveyors from the profession ahead of the introduction of the BSR, with significant numbers opting for a career change instead of preparing to meet with the regulator’s new requirements.
People are extremely concerned about being able to continue work
“We are hearing worrying reports of individuals in crisis, suffering extreme stress, anxiety and depression.” Lorna continued.
“The short timeframe allowed between final clarity from the BSR on the independent assessment bodies and their assessment criteria has meant the profession has had insufficient time to prepare for such a significant impact.
“Legal advice is clear, those who have not achieved registration by the legislative deadline are not able to meet the contractual obligations of their role and as such could have their employment terminated by their employer – this is the same for both the public and private sector and yet another pressure added to already struggling surveyors.”
But the DLUHC is standing by the deadline
A DLUHC spokesperson responded: “It is crucial that the construction sector continues to undertake the validation and registration processes in order to meet the competence requirements set by the Building Safety Regulator.
“We understand that transitioning into a new oversight regime for building control inspectors requires a managed transition, and the Regulator is closely engaging the sector to agree a way forward.”
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