Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1. Cabinet approved CNC Building Control to manage and administer the Building Safety Levy (BSL) on behalf of the Council;

2. Approval of the transfer of the new burdens funding to CNC Building Control, subject to an agreed retention by the Council to cover its own administrative and oversight costs.

3. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director, Environment and Planning, in consultation with the portfolio holder for Planning and licensing and Section 151 Officer to agree the financial arrangements (including retained costs and the operational and reporting protocols).

4. Approve that CNC submits BSL returns on behalf of the Council, subject to the appropriate oversight and assurance arrangements agreed by the Section 151 Officer

REASON FOR DECISION: The Building Safety Levy is a statutory requirement which must be implemented by October 2026.  Given that the levy is intrinsically linked to building control functions and that CNC Building Control already provides this service on behalf of the Council, it is considered that CNC are best placed to deliver this function efficiently and consistently across partner authorities.

The proposal provides a robust, cost-effective and lower-risk solution subject to

appropriate governance, financial oversight and assurance arrangements.

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The Assistant Director for Environment and Planning presented the report, which outlined the introduction of a new statutory levy and proposed arrangements for its administration. He explained that the recommended approach was for CNC Building Control to administer the process on behalf of the Council, with the alternative option being to manage the function in-house.

In response to a question, it was confirmed that the Section 151 Officer would oversee the process and would be required to approve the administration of the levy. It was further confirmed that the Section 151 Officer had been consulted on the proposed arrangements.

The Assistant Director for Environment and Planning directed Members to section 1.2 of the report which outlined the partners that used CNC Building Control.

Councillor Ring commented that it would be important to raise awareness of the levy and its exemptions, particularly the exemption relating to developments of fewer than ten dwellings,

RESOLVED:

1. Cabinet approved CNC Building Control to manage and administer the Building Safety Levy (BSL) on behalf of the Council;

2. Approval of the transfer of the new burdens funding to CNC Building Control, subject to an agreed retention by the Council to cover its own administrative and oversight costs.

3. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director, Environment and Planning, in consultation with the portfolio holder for Planning and licensing and Section 151 Officer to agree the financial arrangements (including retained costs and the operational and reporting protocols).

4. Approve that CNC submits BSL returns on behalf of the Council, subject to the appropriate oversight and assurance arrangements agreed by the Section 151 Officer

REASON FOR DECISION: The Building Safety Levy is a statutory requirement which must be implemented by October 2026.  Given that the levy is intrinsically linked to building control functions and that CNC Building Control already provides this service on behalf of the Council, it is considered that CNC are best placed to deliver this function efficiently and consistently across partner authorities.

The proposal provides a robust, cost-effective and lower-risk solution subject to

appropriate governance, financial oversight and assurance arrangements.