This tells you the standards of service you can expect from us and how to give us feedback on our performance.
Our services
- Dealing with Building Regulations applications
- Providing building regulations advice on access and special needs issues
- Carrying out on-site inspections
- Guidance and advice on using environmentally-friendly construction materials
- Dealing with dangerous buildings or structures
- Advising other Council departments on means of escape in connection with entertainment and cinema licenses
- Working as a development team with Planning, Environmental Health, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, East Sussex County Council Highways Department and others
Our aims
- To make sure new buildings and alterations or extensions to existing buildings are designed and constructed in a safe, healthy and sustainable way
- To offer a speedy and efficient service to all our customers, including those with special needs
Our commitment to customers
- To provide good value, efficient and effective services to all our customers.
- To provide services that everyone can use and ensure our buildings and information are as accessible as possible.
- To ensure our premises are clean, confortable, smoke-free and well signposted.
- To treat everyone fairly and respect their privacy.
- To be open, honest and accountable for our actions.
- To consult and listen to our customers.
- To strive for continuous improvement in our services and processes.
General standards
Our staff will:
- Be helpful, polite and professional when dealing with customers.
- Wear name badges when dealing with customers.
- Provide a private interview room if requested.
- Arrange a convenient date and time for meetings or appointments.
- Show an official identity badge without being asked if they need to make a home visit.
- Try to deal with your enquiry or complaint straight away. If the person you need to speak to is not there, they will contact you as soon as possible.
- Answer the phone within 20 seconds and return phone messages within 1 working day.
- When we need to use answer phones, messages will be checked regularly.
- Answer your letter, fax or email within 7 working days using plain English and avoiding jargon. If the response is likely to take longer an acknowledgement will be sent confirming when you can expect a reply.
- Respond to Freedom of Information requests within 20 working days.
- Apologise if we are at fault and do their best to put things right. Complaints referred to the head of service will be dealt with in 20 working days.
Our information will be:
- Clear, up to date and accurate
- Available in a range of formats and languages on request
Local Authority Building Control (LABC) services
We participate in the National Promotion of Local Authority Building Control (LABC) scheme and support its initiatives. These include:
- Type approval under LANTAC
- Partnership scheme with local agents/builders
- Building guarantees/warranties
- Electronic submission of plans - available mid 2006
Submission of plans
We will:
- Acknowledge receipt of Plans within 48 hours
- Check full plan submissions within 15 working days of deposit
- Always notify agents of amendments required before determination
- Determine all applications within 5 weeks of deposit. This may be extended to 2 months with the agreement of the applicant
Inspecting work on site
We will:
- Inspect all work at regualr intervals during construction
- Issue a Completion Certificate upon satisfactory completion of the detailed plans
- Carry out inspections within 24 hours of receipt of an inspection request
- Carry out inspection requested before 10am on the same day
- Keep our charges competitive and reasonable
What do you think?
We are always looking for ways to improve our services and are keen to hear our customers' views. Please contact:
Assistant Director (Building Control)
Lewes District Council
Planning Services
Southover House
Southover Road
Lewes
BN7 1AB
Tel: 01273 471600
Fax: 01273 484452
E-mail: planning@lewes.gov.uk
Planning webpages: www.lewes.gov.uk/environment/611.asp
Other formats
This leaflet is also available in large print format, on audio tape or disk or in another language upon request. Contact us on 01273 484141 or email lewesdc@lewes.gov.uk
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