News

New Dutyholders from 1st October 2023

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) issued a suite of new regulations pursuant to the Building Safety Act 2022.  This new legislation included amendments to the Building Regulations (The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023,  which brought in a new dutyholder regime.

The new dutyholder regime applies to all "building work" (as defined in the Building Regulations) in England, with only limited exceptions for "exempt" work (as detailed in Regulation 9 and Schedule 2 of the Building Regulations) and minor works. This new regime focuses on dutyholders' responsibility for ensuring that building works comply with the Building Regulations. The dutyholders identified in the new Part 2A are:


High-Rise Residential Buildings
 

It is a legal requirement to register high-rise residential buildings that are at least 7 floors high, or 18 metres tall or higher, with two or more residential units.  To register visit the government site

Did you know that you can search for the details of a registered high-rise building (HRB) online?  Visit the HRB Register portal, enter the building's postcode and the following information is available:


If you are unable to locate a building on the register and you believe it should be listed, please contact the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) using their contact us page.

Do you live in a high-rise residential building?

The BSR has launched a campaign to make those living in tall buildings in England aware of how the new Building Safety laws affect them.  These laws protect and empower people living in high-rise residential buildings to take part in safety decisions that affect them, as well as providing clear process for reporting safety concerns.

 

Fee Increase
Please note that the application fees will be increasing from 1 May 2024.  Any applications received after 2pm on Tuesday 30 April 2024 will be charged at the new rates.

 

Successful Prosecution of Building Regulations Contraventions

STG Building Control Partnership has prosecuted a Medway builder, Lee Goodearl of KG Builders Ltd, under Section 35(1) of the Building Act.

The case was taken to Medway Magistrates’ Court and Mr Goodearl failed to attend court and the case was proved in his absence. 

The extension he was constructing had a number of contraventions:

The court fined Mr Goodearl £10,000 and ordered him to pay costs of £841 and a victim surcharge of £170, totalling £11,011.

Cllr Jane Chitty, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering Enforcement, said: “All building works must meet regulations in order to protect the safety of our residents. I am appalled that in this case the builder deliberately abused the trust of his customers and took payments throughout the works which have left them out of pocket and with works in contravention of the Building Regulations. I would encourage anyone who has any doubts over whether building works have been completed to the required standard to contact building control to report their concerns.”

 

STG Socials and Fund Raising

Throughout the year, STG officers take part in several events to raise money for charity, whether they are organised internally or externally.  For those events we organise in the office, we choose a different charity for different events. 

In December 2023, a team of surveyors and administrators entered the Medway Council staff quiz night and they won!!  Their team name was "The Screaming Goats" and it seems they have a broad knowledge base - ranging from Paella, to pyramids and guinea pigs...  They have a trophy proudly displayed in the office.  Well done to the team, fingers crossed they are successful at the next quiz.

2024 will be no different from the previous years for fundraising.  We will continue to hold our annual Coffee Week with the Sausage Roll Competition raising vital funds for MacMillan.  We will also hold our annual Festive Fun event in December - charity to be chosen nearer the time.  We aim to choose a different charity each year and officers are asked to nominate one that is close to their heart.  We will keep you posted....


Medway Council - Regeneration

As one of STG Building Control’s Partner Local Authorities, Medway Council’s strategy for improving the area for the benefit of all residents, workers and visitors is through a substantial regeneration programme. Please see the below attachment of the regeneration sites entitled "Putting Medway on The Map" and why Medway is a great place to live, work and visit.

 
 

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