Policy, Standards and Performance
Policy, Standards and Performance
Many of the functions falling within the responsibility of the Building Control Department are undertaken in accordance with Policy Statements approved by the Council.
(1) Building Regulations
The council approved a policy statement for the building regulations service each year (Building Regulations Policy) and also sets performance indicators. Together with a 'code of practice' this is the method used to demonstrate compliance with the requirement in The Local Government (Best Value) Act 2002 for continuous improvement in the way in which the service is provided. Details of the departments building regulation workload are given in the following table:
Workload Analysis
|
Details |
2009/2010 |
2008/2009 |
|
Full Plans Applications received |
379 |
382 |
|
Full Plans Applications approved |
368 |
431 |
|
Full Plans Applications rejected |
52 |
68 |
|
Work started (domestic) |
677 |
667 |
|
Work completed (domestic) |
508 |
871 |
|
Number of Inspections (domestic) |
3700 |
4051 |
Note: Number of inspections in respect of non-domestic applications represents 7.6% of total.
Included in our performance indicators are standards/target in relation to response times. We consider 'first response time' and 'subsequent response time'. By ‘first response time’ we mean the time taken from the date of receipt of a valid application until the issue of either a ‘Notice of Passing of Building Regulation Plans’ or a notification detailing those matters in respect of which additional and/or amended information is required to show compliance with the regulations. By ‘subsequent response time’ we mean the time taken from the date of receipt of amended plans or additional information until the issue of either an approval or a further notification detailing matters still outstanding.
The following table includes details of the standards/targets set for ‘first response’ times and actual response times achieved. The DoE sets performances indicators and while these are less onerous than the standards we set our performance as measured against those standards is also included.
| Full plans: domestic applications | Full plans: non-domestic applications | ||||
| Target | Standard Achieved | Target | Standard Achieved | ||
| CDC | 95% within 14 days | 99.1% | 95% within 14 days | 100% | |
| DoE | 100% within 21 days | 100% | 100% within 35 days | 100% | |
With regard to subsequent response times our standard was to achieve 90% within 10 calendar days. We actually achieved 98.5% with the average response time being 3.7 calendar days.
(2) Property Certificates Applications for Property Certificates are dealt with in accordance with agreed procedures see . Our aim is to issue a Property certificate within 10 calendar days (seven working days) from the date of receipt.
For the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 we achieved this standard in respect of 97.4% of applications received. (Average number of calendar days to action was 3.1).
(3) Licensing of Places of Entertainment
The Policy under which this function is administered can be viewed at (Entertainment Policy).
(4) Petrol-spirit Licensing
The Policy under which this function is administered can be viewed at (Petroleum-Spirit Policy).
(5) Naming of Streets
The Policy under which this function is administered can be viewed at (Naming of Streets Policy).
