Building Control Independent Panel - informing recommendations to government - Call for evidence

Building Control Independent Panel - informing recommendations to government - Call for evidence

The Building Control Independent Panel (BCIP) provides analysis and advice to government on the future of the building control system in England.

Following the publication of the panel’s problem statement, they are inviting stakeholders to share their views to inform its future recommendations.

This call for evidence document and process have been planned to adhere to the Consultation Principles issued by the Cabinet Office.  

Representative groups are asked to give a summary of the people and organisations they represent, and where relevant who else they have consulted in reaching their conclusions when they respond. 

Information provided in response to this call for evidence may be published or disclosed in accordance with the access to information regimes (these are primarily the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and UK data protection legislation.  In certain circumstances this may therefore include personal data when required by law. You can find more details on the data collection and consultation on their website.

Call for evidence questions

1. Do you agree with the BCIP problem statement? Are there other areas of concern that you think we have missed? 

2. Do you agree that Building Control (BC) should retain a balance between advice and enforcement and if so, how should this be achieved? Should enforcement powers be extended to the private sector? 

3. Are you supportive of the changes which have already been made in bringing BC (public and private) under the Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR) control and oversight? What more could be done to monitor performance of BC and build public trust? 

4. How should resources be deployed most effectively to minimise conflict of interest and to ensure appropriate levels of oversight of building works? 

5. Should there be a minimum number of inspections prescribed for different types of buildings and if so, at what stages should these take place? 

6. How can we ensure that BC is managed consistently with timely interventions, proportionate approaches and risk-based targeting? 

7. How can we best monitor and measure performance of all BC activities? 

8. What are the key minimum skill sets required in any Building Control Body (BCB)? 

9. What action should be taken against BCBs who are found to be failing in delivering their functions? Where it is necessary to do so where and how should caseloads be transferred? 

10. Is there effective oversight and enforcement of the Competent Person Scheme (CPS) self-certification schemes? What changes would improve compliance and enforcement? 

11. Where BC is linked to the provision of warranties does this lead to better standards of building work and if not, why?  

12. Are you aware of particular examples of good practice internationally that you would recommend we look at? 

13. How do we improve effectiveness and efficiency whilst delivering better standards of BC? 

14. How can the system develop to deliver increases in competence and skills? 

15. What are your views on the benefits/risks of the government’s local government reorganisation proposals? Would there be benefits in having fewer shared services operating across a wider area? 

16. Would enforcement functions be better served by a more centralised system working in partnership with local authorities where action is necessary? 

To contribute to the CIBSE response please email [email protected] by the 11th August 2025 with any comments. You can alternatively submit your own response by completing the online survey. This consultation closes on the 29th August 2025.