Fenland District Council is joining forces with four local authorities to become a partner of a building control group.

The CNC Building Control group will be based at Wisbech Boathouse Business Centre with inspectors to check developments across the Fens and South Norfolk.

It will provide a plan checking and site inspection service for new builds, extensions and changes of use.

Staff inspect buildings to make sure they comply with regulations on structural stability, fire safety, fuel and power conservation and disabled access.

From now Fenland will work with South Norfolk Council to transfer its building control service into the CNC Building Control Partnership.

Officers with specialist Fenland knowledge will be based in the new offices at Wisbech and customers will still be able to contact the service through FDC’s contact centre and one-stop shops.

Both councils say they share the same goal - to be part of a successful, local authority shared service.

Alan Pain, Corporate Director at Fenland District Council, said: “Joining this partnership brings significant benefits to Fenland. It will maintain an expert service while also delivering important financial savings.

“It is likely that the transition of the service to the CNC umbrella will be completed in January 2015. Meanwhile officers will be working closely with CNC colleagues to ensure that transition goes smoothly.”

South Norfolk Councillor David Bills, cabinet member for Innovation and Efficiency said: “Local authorities must work together to continue to deliver high quality services in the current financial climate.

“This change will improve the efficient delivery of the building control service, which will not only deliver savings but offer a first-class service to customers. This is another great example of how councils are adapting and looking at new ways of working, including the use of modern mobile technology, to meet the needs of their residents and local businesses.”

CNC was established in 2004 by South Norfolk Council, Broadland District Council and Norwich City Council. The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk joined in 2010.