Monday night saw the presentation of the LABC Superstars Awards at the annual Local Authority Building Control members’ conference in Leicester, with the winner from the Yorkshire Region being North Yorkshire Building Control Partnership’s own Les Chapman.
These awards have been set up by LABC to celebrate and recognise members of staff who go the extra mile in their day to day work, to ensure their performance is above and beyond the expected targets and provide excellent levels of staff support and public service.
Commencing the Partnership in 2001 with the merging of Ryedale and Selby Council Building Control Departments, Les has expanded the areas covered in the intervening years, now also encompassing Hambleton from 2007, Scarborough in 2008 and Richmondshire in 2010.
The Partnership would not be where it was today without the drive and determination of Les Chapman. Les spearheaded the expansion of the Partnership, taking the initiative to explore the best options available and then approaching the surrounding Local Authorities with the opportunity of mergers.
The overall aim of the expansion was to help secure the future of Local Authority Building Control for customers. The many advantages this has brought about includes cost savings due to economies of scale, 5 offices reduced down to one central location, staff efficiencies and streamlining approaches to ensure the full area has a consistent approach.
Recognising the inefficiencies of having five separate data record systems adopted by each Council, Les pushed for a new, streamlined single system which would house records for all the Authorities, which proved to have countless benefits when it came into force.
In addition to the day to day running of the Partnership and all the changes Les has initiated, he also leads the LABC North and East Yorkshire Region Building Excellence Awards. This is a time consuming task but one of great reward for our customers, recognising quality designs and constructions locally
15 years on from the first collaboration, the Partnership has grown from strength to strength due to Les’ leadership, direction and sheer determination, with this Award acting as a fitting memento.