Decision details

The joint report of the Head of Planning and Building Control and Director Economy and Development was submitted, outlining a number of proposed changes in the structure of the Building Control team. The changes were proposed to respond to the budgetary issues facing the team, particularly a reduction in fee income.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy considered the report at their meeting of 12 November 2009 and their support was noted.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)        the employment of the holder of one of the posts of Building Control Officer (ED07167-70) be terminated on the grounds of redundancy on 31 January 2010 in accordance where applicable with the provisions of Regulation 19 of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Benefits, Membership and Contributions) Regulations 2007; with compensation being paid to the holder of the selected post in accordance with the discretion exercised by the Council under the provisions of the Local Government (Early Termination) (Discretionary Compensation) (England and Wales) Regulations 2006; a payment of compensation be made in respect of the notice/unexpired period of notice to which the employee would otherwise be entitled under their contract of employment and the selected post be deleted from the establishment of the Council;

(2)        voluntary severance is invited and accepted if financially appropriate, as a preferred alternative to redundancy;

(3)        proposed Building Control Schedule 1 & 2 charges for new dwellings and domestic extensions be increased to match those of the Devon Building Control Partnership from 1 January 2010;

(4)        a system for charging for street naming and numbering services be introduced from 1 January 2010 based upon the charges outlined at Appendix 3 to the report; 

(5)        the post of Technical Clerk (ED07176) be increased from 0.57 full time equivalent to full time and take responsibility for checking the Local Land and Property Gazetteer, funded by street naming and numbering charges and by Corporate Services; and

(6)               the Planning and Building Control Unit’s budgets be amended accordingly.

(Report circulated to Members)