URL: https://democracy.crawley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=813

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To present to Cabinet the findings of a review of the Building Control service and to seek Cabinet approval to progress the preferred option to be set out in the report, pending completion of the review.

Content: Exempt Paragraph 3 Information relating to financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information)     RESOLVED   That the Cabinet:   a)                agrees option E as set out from section 7.30 of report  PES/453 to enable the launch of Crawley Borough Council’s temporary Building Control Team, for the period 23 October 2025 to 31 March 2026.   b)                delegates authority to the Head of Economy and Planning in consultation with the Head of Corporate Finance and the Head of Governance, People and Performance, to launch the temporary Crawley Building Control Team for the period 23 October 2025 to 31 March 2026. (Generic Delegations 2 and 3 will be used to enact this recommendation).   c)                delegates the negotiation, approval and completion of all relevant documentation, including legal paperwork, to the Head of Economy and Planning, in consultation with the Head of Corporate Finance and Head of Governance, People and Performance. (Generic Delegations 2 and 3 will be used to enact this recommendation).   d)                agrees that officers undertake a further review of options for Building Control service provision in Crawley for the period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028 and to report back to Cabinet by the end of financial year 2026.     That Full Council be recommended to approve a revenue supplementary estimate of up to £200,000 for the provision of a temporary Building Control Service until 31 March 2026 as set out in section 8.3 of report PES/453.     Reason for Recommendations   Horsham DC have given notice to Crawley BC of the termination of the existing Shared Service Agreement for Sussex Building Control services and the termination date is 22 October 2025. It is essential that Crawley BC secures alternative building control service provision to ensure statutory building control duties are maintained.   For the reasons set out in  report PES/453, the only option available to Crawley BC, at least for the period 23rd October 2025 to 31st March 2026 is to establish a temporary “in-house” Building Control Team.     Given Local Government re-organisation with the successor unitary authority expected in shadow form in 2027-2028, it makes sense for a further review of the options for Crawley Building Control service provision.   It is therefore proposed that officers report back to Cabinet by the end of financial year 2026 with the outcome of that further review and proposals for Crawley Building Control service provision for 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2028.            

Date of Decision: October 8, 2025