THE building control services of three Devon district councils have formed a partnership to share expertise and provide a more efficient and flexible service. The building control units at West Devon Borough and Teignbridge District Councils integrated into one organisation in 2004. Inspired by the success of the partnership, South Hams District Council's unit has now joined up too. The organisation, made up of professionally qualified chartered surveyors, fire engineers, structural and civil engineers, is called the Devon Building Control Partnership and covers more than 1,000 square miles of Devon, serving a population of more than 257,000 people. West Devon borough councillor Diana Moyse, who is chairman of the partnership committee, made up of councillors and officers from the three authorities, said that although it covers a large area, the ethos of the organisation is to provide an efficient yet personable service for the community. She said: 'With the three building control units working together, we are not only sharing resources but increasing our knowledge base too. 'Recently the partnership gave a case study to the national building control organisation and it was recognised that the Devon team is now a centre of excellence. 'The partnership is a true model for other partnerships to follow.'
