After a successful first year as a merged service between Wokingham Borough Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Building Control Solutions has expanded with West Berkshire Council joining the partnership earlier this month (1 July).
By merging together as Building Control Solutions, building control services will provide a more resilient and efficient service better able to compete in the commercial market. Building Control Solutions offers a wider range of advice and support to residents about building regulations across all three boroughs.
Building Control Solutions also provides a service to developers and builders to ensure their work complies with building regulations.
Examples of the type of support available includes help completing building regulation applications, checking building compliance and issuing completion certificates, site visits and dealing with dangerous structures.
Home owners and construction companies rely on the council service which operates from offices from the Civic Offices in Wokingham and the Council Offices in Newbury.
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for resident services, said: "By working with other councils and sharing our experience and resources, we can improve our existing service, and through economies of scale, improve our current cost base whilst benefiting local people over a much wider area.
"The shared service to date has been successful in attracting permanent staff. Operationally, the service has made many improvements and is working through its action plan to increase efficiency and generate more business. We are delighted to welcome colleagues from West Berkshire to the expanded shared service."
Cllr Marcus Franks, West Berkshire Council’s executive member for communities and public protection, said: "We are very pleased to be joining our colleagues from Wokingham Borough and the Royal Borough in this shared service arrangement. The Building Control Service provided in West Berkshire has always been held in high esteem by those that use it. The service however faces significant challenges and the new shared service will help us face those challenges and continue to deliver the highest quality service."
Cllr Derek Wilson, lead member for planning for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, said: "We are very pleased with the shared service so far and look forward to working with West Berkshire and Wokingham Borough to make it even more successful and beneficial to residents.
"This larger shared service means we will have a wider range of skills, experience and expertise that we can utilise in our Building Control services."
