BC Update: No.51 - Building Consent Authority Accreditation Assistance Package

11 January 2007: The assistance package makes available $3 million (GST inclusive) from the Building Levy to help local authorities develop resources and prepare for accreditation as building consent authorities.

$2.3 million is available in the year ending 30 June 2007, and the remaining $700,000 will be spread across the following 2 years.

The consultation paper, Proposals to Set Building Consent Authority Accreditation Fees and for Assistance with Accreditation, was issued in October 2006.

By the closing date of 20 November 2006, 52 submissions had been received.

They were mainly from local authorities and cluster groups, and several submissions from businesses and sector organisations – Local Government New Zealand, Registered Master Builders Federation, and the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drain layers Board.

Feedback:

Consultation feedback identified the following main areas where local authorities want assistance.

• Direct assistance for clusters, including project management, expert advisers, development of shared service arrangements, web resources and document development and printing; 
• Staff competency and assessment tools; 
• Training for internal auditors and staff on topics such as accreditation, quality management systems and record-keeping; 
• Expert support and advice for self-assessments; 
• Good-practice operating notes and procedures.

What the package can not be used for:

To comply with the Building Act 2004 and legal advice received by the Department, the assistance package can not be used to fund accreditation fees.

Nor can it be used to fund retrospective assistance obtained by a local authority or as a grant or general disbursement provided directly to local authorities.

Planned Training:

The Department is planning an initial training course to be held in 15 locations during February and April 2007.

This course will:

•  Explain the building consent authority accreditation standards and criteria, including quality assurance management systems and processes;
   
•  Provide advice for local authorities on how to monitor and improve their accreditation management systems and processes to check for and achieve compliance by self-assessment against the accreditation standards and criteria.

Steering Group

A Steering Group of sector representatives from local authorities and sector organisations has been established to provide advice and guidance about the specific options for assistance.

The Steering Group is chaired by John Kay, General Manager, Building Controls, Department of Building and Housing.

Membership comprises: 

• Irene Clark, Local Government New Zealand; 
• Don MacKay, Society of Local Government Managers; 
• Len Clapham, BOINZ; 
• Rachel Petrus and Malcolm MacMillan as DBH representatives; 
• Local authority representatives:
   - John Duthie, Auckland City Council
   - Louise Van der Voort, Central Otago District Council
   - Shayne Harris, Palmerston North District Council
   - Richard Ritsma, Rodney District Council and the formative BCA Group.

The project managers for developing the assistance package, Zoë Dryden and Ross Chesney, are also included in the Steering Group.

The Steering Group will meet in late January to consider assistance options and recommendations.

The roll-out process is being developed by a small project management team within the Department. They will issue regular updates.

The Department hopes to begin specific programme delivery and disbursements in March 2007.

Key Contact
The assistance package project manager can be contacted via email – zoe.dryden@dbh.govt.nz – or phone on 0800 242 243.