CIOB backs plans to get tough on cowboy builders

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has backed plans to give local authorities greater powers to crack down on cowboy builders.

In a detailed submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG), it supported proposals to let local authorities issue stop notices to halt construction activity in instances where an offence has been committed or where there is a risk of serious harm in the future.

Currently, local authorities can only issue informal written or verbal warnings, which unscrupulous firms are able to ignore.

Kevin Dawson, Chairman of The CIOB’s Building Control and Standards Faculty, said “This is an important step forward in preventing sub-standard work from being covered up, which can be costly, or even impossible, to rectify at a later date.

“There is a strong argument that the enforcement role of Local Authorities has been neglected in the past and should take much greater prominence from now on. This would have significant consumer protection, health and safety and compliance benefits.

The proposals are being made under CLG’s ‘Future of Building Control Consultation’ document, which has set out plans for changes to the building control system in England and Wales.