Dear Ernie,

I apologise for the delay in responding. Following my recent appointment to the Shadow Cabinet, changes to my office have caused some correspondence to take longer to answer.

Thank you for your email and for forwarding your detailed paper on the Building Notice procedure. I appreciate the time you have taken to set out your analysis and the evidence you have gathered from across local authorities.

You raise a number of important concerns about how Building Notices are being used in practice, particularly in relation to larger and more complex developments. The balance between efficiency, public protection, and professional accountability is central to maintaining confidence in the Building Control system, and I recognise your argument that current procedures may not always achieve that balance.

Your suggestion that additional information requirements or clearer restrictions on the use of Building Notices could improve compliance deserves careful consideration, particularly as wider reforms to building safety and competence continue to take effect.

I will share your paper with colleagues responsible for housing and local government policy within the Shadow Cabinet so that your recommendations can be considered as part of our ongoing review of building safety and regulatory practice.

Thank you again for bringing this matter to my attention.
Best wishes,
James

The Rt. Hon. Sir James Cleverly TD VR MP
Member of Parliament for Braintree

9 October 2025