Council reviews building control fees

Sevenoaks District Council's Cabinet last night (Thursday 3 June) decided to increase its building control fees by 5%, the first rise in two years.

The Council is responsible for the enforcement of all aspects of building regulation to ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings in Sevenoaks District and the government requires that the income raised from the service fully covers the cost of its provision.

However, this 'breakeven' situation, whereby the service is neither in a surplus nor a deficit, was not achieved in the last financial year with the Council in deficit around £35,000.

Many other councils in Kent charge higher fees than those in Sevenoaks District and other neighbouring authorities increased fees in April this year between 3 and 5%.

Cllr Jill Davison, Cabinet Member with responsibility for building control, says: "Whilst the building control charges are very competitive, the Council has a duty to ensure that the cost of providing the service and regulating the construction of buildings is recovered in accordance with Government guidance and recommendations."

A six week period of notice will now take place before the charges are introduced, allowing residents to make their views known about the review of charges. For details of the intended new charges or to make your views known, contact Kelvin Hinton, Head of Development Services at Sevenoaks District Council by e-mailing kelvin.hinton@sevenoaks.gov.uk

The charges will be reviewed again in April 2005.