William Eichler 19 June 2018

Building control interventions worth nearly £2bn, academics find

The net economic benefit of public service building control interventions in construction projects could be as high as £1.85bn, new research suggests.

LABC, the member organisation representing local authority building control departments in England and Wales, commissioned academics from the University of Wolverhampton to calculate the social return on investment of building control.

Building control departments are tasked with ensuring buildings are safe and healthy and meet building regulations set by central Government.

The review looked at different ways of measuring value and studied existing published papers to estimate the scale of the financial values involved.

The academics found for 90,000 plans assessed by LABC in 2016/17, the net economic benefit or social return on investment could be as high as £1.85bn per year.

‘As an ex-senior civil servant – at one time Head of the Building Regulations Division – it’s fascinating for me to see the initial estimate from the academic review,’ said Paul Everall, LABC chief executive.

‘There’s clearly more work to be done, but I’m now convinced that LABC should investigate this further working with industry to help establish a more detailed economic return.

‘This value is important to everyone: for policy makers, ministers, local government, property owners, managers and all those professionals in the construction industry.

‘Complying with building standards has a real pay-back. It’s not a question of ticking boxes for their own sake. Our current system – despite all its flaws – still improves the quality, performance, safety and life-span of buildings.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£57072 - £58072 per annum
We are looking for qualified and HCPC registered Educational Psychologists or Year 3 Trainee Educational Psychologists to join our thriving, progressi England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Senior Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£66555 - £67555 per annum
As a result of internal promotions within our service we are looking for committed Senior Educational Psychologists to join us in our work to shape th England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Principal Accountant

Durham County Council
£47,181 to £51,356 p.a. (Grade 13)
Durham County Council is the largest council in the North East, we have a budget of around £1.3 billion which helps us provide services to more than 5 Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Mechanical Foreman

Durham County Council
£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9)
A vacancy has arisen within Building and Facilities Management for a Mechanical Foreman working full time 37 hours.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?    Within a co Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Occupational Health Physiotherapist

Durham County Council
£40,777 to £45,091 p.a. (Grade 11)
An exciting opportunity has arisen with Durham County Council to join our well established ‘in house’ Occupational Health Service in making a positiv Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner