Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence had been received.

There were no interests declared by the members present.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval for the Council to agree to an updated Deed of Delegation and Memorandum of Association for the joint provision of Building Control services.

Recommendation

That the authority is given to the Director of Regeneration to sign an updated Deed of Delegation and Memorandum of Association for the joint provision of Building Control services.

Councillor Hugh Mason, Cabinet Member for Planning Policy & City Development, introduced the item and explained the rationale behind the report.

In response to comments and questions from the group spokespersons the Assistant Director of Planning and Economic Growth detailed the allocation of the reserves and the projects which they had and would support.  He also explained the employment structure of the partnership.  Whilst recruitment was undertaken by Fareham Borough Council all partners had input via the Building Control Partnership Board which ensured that the needs of the partnership as a whole were met. 

In response to queries regarding the lack of environmental and carbon reduction content in the agreement and some of the terms used, such as 'the disabled', the Assistant Director of Planning and Economic Growth explained that the Board would be required to agree changes prior to October 2023 to reflect the national changes proposed by the Building Act.  He agreed with the Cabinet Member that this would be an opportune time to consider changes to the agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding, although highlighted that the term 'disabled' might be referenced within relevant legislation which the documents needed to reflect.

In terms of risks, members were advised that there was a risk with the proposed link to the market, but only if the workload in the city was to substantially change.  The modelling that had been undertaken did not suggest that there would be such a change and it was likely that Portsmouth City Council's contributions might decrease when compared to the current funding arrangement.

The Cabinet Member for Planning Policy & City Development approved the recommendations.

It was therefore RESOLVED that authority is given to the Director of Regeneration to sign an updated Deed of Delegation and Memorandum of Association for the joint provision of Building Control Services.