Insurance Schemes for Approved Inspectors pursuant to section 47(6) of the Building Act 1984

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To:

The Chief Executive Unitary, Metropolitan, District and London Borough Councils in England County and County Borough Councils in Wales

The Town Clerk, City of London The Clerk, Council of the Isles of Scilly The Sub-Treasurer, Inner Temple The Under Treasurer, Middle Temple

The Head of Building Control Unitary Metropolitan, District and London Borough Councils in England County and County Borough Councils in Wales City of London Council of the Isles of Scilly

Approved Inspectors

cc:The Chief Executive: County Councils in England National Park Authorities in England & Wales

The Chief Fire Officer: Fire and Rescue Authorities in England & Wales

28February 2014

Dear Sir/Madam,

Insurance Schemes for Approved Inspectors pursuant to section 47(6) of the Building Act 1984

Introduction

I am writing to inform you that the Secretary of State has approved the professional indemnity and public liability insurance policies offered by Howden Insurance Brokers Limited, t/a Howden as an addition to the currently approved insurance schemes offered by insurers for approved inspectors carrying out building control functions in England. The approval takes effect on 1 March 2014 and will continue in effect until withdrawn by the Secretary of State.

Department for Communities and Local Government Email enquiries.br@communities.gsi.gov.uk Building Regulations and Standards Division Zone 5/G10 Eland House

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Scope

This Circular Letter applies to approved inspectors carrying out building control functions in England. It also applies to approved inspectors in Wales carrying out building control functions in respect of excepted energy buildings1.

New Approval

To gain approval insurance schemes must comply with a set of criteria for approval. The Secretary of State has approved, under section 47(6) of the Building Act 1984 the Howden Insurance Brokers Limited t/a Howden scheme, having determined that it meets the criteria. A copy of the notice of approval can be found on the GOV.UK website2.

The contact details for Howden are: Howden Insurance Brokers Limited, 71 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4BS, tel: 020 7133 1400, email: info@howdengroup.com.

Other Approved Schemes of Insurance for Approved Inspectors

There are currently two approved insurance schemes for approved inspectors. NHBC (National House-Building Council) who only insure their own approved inspectors and Griffiths and Armour who offer insurance to all approved inspectors on the open market.

Enquiries

All enquiries on this Circular Letter should be addressed to Sandra Simoni at tel: 0303 44 41781 or e-mail: sandra.simoni@communities.gsi.gov.uk.

Yours faithfully,

R J Ledsome

Deputy Director

Building Regulations and Standards Division