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You are here: Home > Business and planning > Building Control > Building Control Service Charter

Building Control Service Charter

This section is intended to help people looking for information about Building Control Service Charter.

In this charter, we set out the standards we have set ourselves to process applications made under the building regulations. It also contains details of how we publish information on our performance and how applicants can help get the best out of the service. 

This charter is one of four covering services delivered by the Council's Building and Development Services Unit; the others cover planning applications, enforcing planning control and protection of trees and landscape.

Main Features of the Service

• Providing advice to potential applicants on the requirements of the building regulations, the processes involved and checking & decision timescales
• Processing applications for building regulations approval, building notices, initial notices, regularisation and reversions
• Seeking the views of the fire and rescue service on proposals, where necessary
• Ensuring access to most domestic and certain public buildings for disabled people
• Monitoring construction to make sure it is built to the required standard
• Dealing with buildings and structures that have become unsafe  

Service Statistics 2002

• The building control team consisted of 9 officers
• It received 1,588 applications
• Over 6,510 site inspections were carried out
    

If you intend to carry out building works within the Borough

1. We will provide pre-application advice on compliance with the building regulations and associated legislation through meetings (at Reigate Town Hall and by appointment), by telephone and by letter (see detailed response targets below)

2. We will provide advice on on-going construction projects (see detailed response targets below)

If you submit an application or notice

3. We will register 80% of valid applications within 2 working days of receipt

4. We will determine 75% of applications within 5 weeks of receipt and 100% within 2 months of receipt 

5. We will advise on all valid building notices within 6 working days of registration

6. If we find that your application is invalid we will notify you by telephone or in writing within 2 working days

If work is in progress

7. We will carry out all requested site inspections the next working day, or on the same day, if requested before 10am on a working day

8. We will issue completion certificates on all projects within 2 working days of their confirmed completion

General

9. We will provide an immediate response to dangerous structure calls - 24 hour cover, 7 days per week, 52 weeks per year

10. We will provide general building regulations advice to visitors at Reigate Town Hall between 9am and 10.30am and 3.30pm and 5pm (4.45pm on Fridays) on working days

11. We will answer telephone calls on average within 6 seconds on working days (8.45am - 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45am to 4.45pm on Fridays)

12. We will reply to letters within 5 working days of receipt, or acknowledge if more time is needed to investigate the matters

13. We will reply to requests for research information in connection with conveyencing within 15 working days 

14. We will investigate any complaints about the service that we deliver within 14 working days of receipt, or if we need more time, say how much more time before the 14 days are up

How will you know we have achieved these targets?

15. We will review performance against these targets and we will publish the results in the reception at Reigate Town Hall, at Help Shops within the Borough and on the Council's website. Any changes in performance will be reported to and discussed with the Director of Policy and Environment.

16. Our performance against selected targets may also be published annually in the Council's Best Value Performance Plan

How you can help?

Ensure that the building regulation application process is complete before commencing work and the builder requests inspections at all relevant stages

To ensure you get a response to your enquiry:

General advice can be obtained throughout the working day by calling: 01737 276162.

If you need to speak to an inspector, avoid the peak time of the day (10.30am to 3.30pm when officers are often on site). 

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