Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

The Council has recognised the need to change the way services are provided in the future in order to create opportunities for innovation and provide service efficiencies. As a result the Council has agreed to work in partnership with South Cambridgeshire District Council and Huntingdonshire District Council to deliver a number of shared services.

 

The Council also seeks to support economic growth within the area and as a consequence needs to provide effective and efficient services. The building control service is responsible for ensuring delivery of safe, healthy, accessible and sustainable buildings; and operates within a commercial and competitive arena.

 

A shared building control service has the potential to be a more sustainable and resilient business model for future service delivery and cost effectiveness. The ability to generate additional income from new services and efficiencies will also support enhanced competitiveness.

 

The Officer’s report set out the strategic benefits and outline business case for a single shared building control service for Cambridge City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council and Huntingdonshire District Council.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport

Agreed:

       i.          The outline business case for entering into a shared Building Control service with South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire District Councils.

     ii.          That a fully developed business case is provided to the Environment Scrutiny Committee on 7 July 2015.

   iii.          That recruitment of an Interim Shared Building Control Manager be authorised to help develop the full business case and the design of the new service.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Building Control Manager.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

       i.          The Council Building Control Shared Service was an important service.

     ii.          The business case to share services with other councils had some merits, but the quality of the service should not be compromised.

   iii.          The service needed to be located near to customers in order to be effective. Resilience and specialist services were also important considerations.

   iv.          Charging for the Building Control Shared Service could be a source of income for the Council.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Building Control Manager said the following:

         i.          The location of the Building Control Shared Service would be reviewed in future. The intention was to place it so that Officers could visit city and outskirt locations.

       ii.          An options appraisal would be set out in the full business case coming to 7 July 2015 Environment Committee.

     iii.          Regulations and guidelines set fees that could be charged for the Building Control Shared Service on a not for profit basis for chargeable activities.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.