The Council service that ensures construction projects comply with building requirements and safety standards has been found to be fully compliant with new regulations.
Recent audits by the Building Safety Regulator and Lincolnshire Assurance were both incredibly positive about the service, highlighting its quality outcomes in promoting building excellence and high safety standards in North Kesteven. The team has also supported colleagues in West Lindsey and City of Lincoln with aspects of their service.
In the last two years, once in a lifetime regulatory changes in response to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire tragedy introduced enhanced regulation and accountability of the building control profession, a new standards and competence regime, particularly in relation to fire safety and high-rise buildings, creation of new regulatory bodies, and new enforcement powers; which came at a time of significant change within the in-house NK Building Control team itself.
The regulator’s inspections seek to ensure Building Control teams are operating efficiently and effectively, managing risks to ensure public safety, handling data properly, liaising with other enforcement bodies and inspecting and enforcing competently and where necessary.
Following its four-month overview, the Building Safety Regulator found the service to be fully compliant and no action necessary in respect of the efficiency and effectiveness of systems, controls and procedures in exercising North Kesteven’s building control functions.
Cllr Mark Smith, who has Executive Board oversight of public protection, said he was very proud of the team’s assessment, its achievements and the support it gives to communities and everyone involved in construction projects.
“Whilst maintaining the efficient and effective delivery of a vital statutory function that promoted a safer built environment, the team has been rigorous in developing themselves professionally and in developing process and procedures for the service to bring it in line with the October 2023 regulatory changes and move to the new regulated function. Additionally, it has supported neighbouring councils in meeting the expectations placed on them, and shown significant progress across two external audits.
“The team has been fantastic throughout and has worked incredibly hard to adapt to such significant change, whilst at the same time continuing to deliver a high-quality building control service to the wider NK community. NKDC was among the first councils to be audited, following the new regulations, and to receive such a positive report – with no areas of concern – is exceptional. I am immensely proud of them and they deserve huge credit.”
As the Building Safety Regulator continues its five-year inspection cycle across all Building Control Bodies, North Kesteven’s performance sets a high bar for excellence, resilience, and public service.
The team contains Registered Building Inspectors from Class 2A (domestic) to Class 3 (specialist) and 4 (technical manager) and as such can provide a competent Building Control service on a wide and diverse range of projects.
If your project requires building regulations approval, the team will signpost you to guidance, check your plans, carry out inspections of the work on site and guide you through the legislative process for your project. You can call on 01529 308136, email building_control@n-kesteven.gov.uk, or write to or visit a Building Control officer at Kesteven Street, Sleaford NG34 7EF.
And by using Local Authority Building Control, you could see your project submitted for local and national Building Excellence Awards.