Findings of the review

Criterion 15 - Relationships with private building certifiers and other territorial authorities

Purpose

To identify any specific issues arising from the Council's dealings with private building certifiers and other territorial authorities.

Background

When this technical review was initiated, the Building Act 1991 provided a framework for private building certifiers to undertake specified regulatory building control work. This provided a private-sector alternative for consumers to access instead of territorial authorities. It was, therefore, important for territorial authorities to have good working relationships with private building certifiers as both could be involved with the same building consent.

Findings

No issues of concern were identified during the initial review or the follow-up review about the Council's relationships with private building certifiers or building control units in other territorial authorities. The Council is part of the Mainland Building Consent Authority Group of 12 territorial authorities located in the middle South Island. They have formed a group under a memorandum of understanding with a view to developing policies and procedures to help them in achieving building consent authority accreditation, greater consistency and the sharing of resources and technical expertise and knowledge.

Conclusion

The Department commends the Council in being proactive and engaging and working with the surrounding territorial authorities and building consent authorities. The Department considers that the Council is forming important relationships by participating in the regional cluster group and actively supports the group's work.