Government of Jersey

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A decision made (13.07.07) to enter into a contract with Structural Engineers Registration Ltd. to provide a scheme for the Certification of Design (Building Structures).

Subject:	Building Bye-laws (Jersey) 2007.
Decision Reference:	MD-PE-2007-0166	Exempt clause(s):		n/a
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	n/a	Report File ref:
Written Report Title:	Jersey Scheme of Certification of Design (Building Structures)	Written report – Author:		Morris Roscouet
Decision To enter into a contract with Structural Engineers Registration Ltd (SER), to provide a scheme for the Certification of Design (Building structures) as set out in the letter from SER dated 27 June 2007.
Reason(s) for decision: To improve the current system of checking the structural design of buildings, and at the same reduce costs to the Department.
Action required: Assistant Director (building control) to develop scheme with SER with a view to introducing it from 1 January 2008.
Signature: (Minister)			Date of Decision:

Building Bye-Laws - contract with Structural Engineers Registration Ltd.

REPORT TO

THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

3/09/6	29 June 2007

Jersey Scheme of Certification of Design ( Building Structures)

Introduction.

Discussions have taken place with Structural Engineers Registration Ltd, (SER) with a view to them operating a scheme for the Certification of Design (Building Structures) similar to the one it operates for the Scottish Building Standards Agency. Details of the scheme remain as detailed in the report to the Minister dated 09/01/07.

Consultation.

The Jersey Federation of Consulting Engineers has been consulted on the proposals. The feedback received is that they are in favour of the scheme as it is considered to be an improvement on the current process of outsourcing much of the work to the local engineering practices. (Letter from the JFCE attached to this report).

General comment.

The main benefits of introducing the scheme is that it will result in a budget saving of some £60,000 and allow more staff resources to be directed to the inspection of structural work on site. It will also free up resources to focus on improvements in other areas. For example the new provisions relating to access and use of buildings and the proposed changes to the bye-laws to further improve energy efficiency. In terms of maintaining standards the new scheme should result in an improvement, and at the same time allow designers who have good work ethos to use their existing checking procedures to reduce the time taken to obtain the necessary approvals.

SER proposals.

SER have set out proposals for the administration of the scheme, which will include regular audits of its members, in a letter dated 27 June 2007. (Copy attached as an appendix to this report). Administration of the scheme is to be paid for charging a membership fee and by making a charge for each design certificate issued. The certificate fee has been set at £35.00 which will inevitably be passed on to the applicant, thus increasing costs for most building applications.

Recommendation.

That the Minister agrees to the Department entering into a contract with SER to provide a scheme for the Certification of Design (Building Structures) from January 2008.

Report written by.

Morris Roscouet

Assistant Director

Building control.