National recognition for Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils’ Building Control team

Members of Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils’ Building Control team swap hard hats for evening dress to receive their award from host, Hugh Dennis. Photo: LABC.
The Building Control team at Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils has been named the best in the business – with judging citing the team’s dedication to raising industry standards, its exceptional problem-solving skills and customer services.
Nominations for the LABC Building Excellence Awards came directly from customers, who praised team members for their proactive approach, attention to detail and commitment to compliance.
Having undergone significant change over the last couple of years, the award recognised the team’s commitment to embracing the changes imposed by the Building Safety Act 2022.
As a fully competent and staffed service, Babergh and Mid Suffolk Building Control has also been supporting other local authorities, by offering inspections and plan-checks as well as helping them prepare for the changes by sharing best practice.
LABC also recognised the team’s dedication to raising awareness of the changes with well-attended events and public and trade displays and online initiatives.
Paul Hughes, the councils’ head of Building Control, said “It is amazing to get national recognition for all the hard work and dedication everyone in my team puts in every day. For our customers to nominate us is humbling and is very much appreciated, and with respect to my team, is fully deserved particularly given the challenging times we find ourselves in.”
It was a double win for one member of the team.
Brieze Bradford, also picked up LABC Newcomer of the Year. Brieze has worked her way up the ladder from starting in the admin and technical support team, and now a trainee building control inspector.
She has excelled in her studies and on site and has already completed her competency assessment, she now embarks on a university degree.
On winning the award Brieze said: “It was completely unexpected as I was up against some very deserving nominees. I feel so honoured and grateful. None of this would be possible without the guidance and encouragement of my team.”
Sallie Davies, cabinet member for Heritage, Planning and Infrastructure for Babergh District Council, said: “I’m delighted that our building control team has won the national recognition it deserves for its work in helping to raising building standards across our districts and beyond. The team is a real example of a first-class public service.”
And Mid Suffolk District Council’s cabinet member for Heritage, Planning and Infrastructure Andrew Stringer, added: “We are committed to the highest possible standards from our building control team. It’s brilliant when others appreciate our work, particularly when nominations come from service users themselves.”
This latest win comes during Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils current reign as UK Council of the Year in iESE’s UK Public Sector Transformation Awards.