For more than 15 years the Building Control Alliance (BCA) has operated in the public interest on a non-profit basis bringing together stakeholders across the boundaries of public and private sector Building Control functions, to provide a consensus interpretation of the Building Regulations and a single voice for all of Building Control in representation to Government and the wider industry.
However, following the tragic events of the Grenfell Tower fire the building regulation systems are undergoing significant reform. The Building Safety Bill enables the creation of a new Building Safety Regulator (BSR) in England, and in Wales, a Consultation has proposed an alternative system introducing a new Building Safety Regime. There clearly will be significant changes to the structures, roles and responsibilities across the Building Control and wider construction sector. Given the level of expected change, the BCA recognises the need to also review its own terms of reference, objectives, and governance to ensure we are ready to proactively support the regulatory reform agenda and help better ensure public safety in all our buildings.
BCA has therefore commenced a full review of its future activities including our legal and governance structures so we can respond as further detail of the role of the building safety regulator and reform within the building control sector becomes clear. We will maintain our current functions and published guidance in good order during the review period.
Over recent years the BCA and its constituent members have actively been engaging with a wide range of stakeholders including the MHCLG, HSE and CIC Industry Working groups in a variety of forums and contexts. In reforming the BCA with the support of MHCLG and HSE officials we aim for the BCA to become the primary platform for discussions between industry, government, and the new Building Safety Regulator regarding matters that affect both public and private sector Building Control.
In conducting the review now, the BCA aims to build capacity during this important transitional stage to support the various work streams that are being established by the Building Safety Regulator, including on key areas such as competence, conduct and regulation of building control professionals. We will change our legal status and reform our Terms of Reference and objectives to focus on the public interest and whilst continuing to provide a unified voice and a clear sense of direction for all building control professionals across the entire building control sector.
The BCA and its members remain committed to its core principle of building consensus to help deliver excellence in building control services to business and the public and stands ready to assist in any way with the successful implementation of the new Building Safety Regulator and the recommendations of Dame Judith Hackett’s independent review of Building Regulations and fire safety.
We look forward to further updating our stakeholders in due course.
Dr Gavin Dunn.
Chairman, Building Control Alliance.
May 2021.
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