DORSET Council’s building control service is celebrating being recognised twice on the national stage.

The service won the Local Authority Building Control Team of the Year in the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2025, and, last week, it learned it had sailed through a tough industry inspection.

The LABC Building Excellence Awards have long been established as the premier accolades within the industry, recognising companies and individuals that demonstrate a commitment to competence, quality and standards in delivering safe and sustainable buildings.

On awarding Dorset Council the top award, judges said: “The team has developed a great reputation since the creation of Dorset Council in 2019.

“It has embraced the LABC Quality Management System to raise standards and recently achieved a very positive audit from the Building Safety Regulator with no identified non-compliance.

“The team work hard to build positive engagement with their customers who return time and time, appreciating and endorsing their responsiveness, local knowledge and professionalism.”

They also praised the team for supporting apprentices, with two of them also being shortlisted finalists for LABC Trainee of the Year 2025.

Judges concluded: “With a skilled and fully staffed team, they are ready to lead the future of building control.”

In the same week, the team received endorsement from the recent Building Safety Regulator (BSR) inspection, with no actions required under the Building Safety Act.

This outcome followed several months of detailed assessment, where the inspector reviewed applications, governance, standards and legal duties.

Council cabinet member for planning Cllr Shane Bartlett said: “This national recognition shows the people of Dorset that they can expect a first-class building control service from the council.”

The council’s building control manager and chair of the LABC south west region, David Kitcatt, added: “Using new technology, including mobile working systems, changes to our website, regular social media posts, and news updates, we help everyone meet their responsibilities.”