DANGEROUS BUILDINGS DIVISION
Chief Building Surveyor:
J. G. STEAN, A.R.I.C.S.
3.10. The Dangerous Buildings Division's work falls mainly under two heads: dealing with individual cases as they arise as a result of collapse or calamity and complaints from the public, and secondly, the seeking out of dangerous buildings by way of planned surveys.
3.11. Approval was given during the year for a new post of Senior Building Surveyor to help deal with the increasing amount of legislation and work now being undertaken by this Division. It was first formed as a Section in 1963 and now has a professional staff of 1 Chief Building Surveyor, 1 Senior Building Surveyor, and 4 Building Surveyors, together with necessary support staff.
3.12. There has been a decrease in the number of buildings closed and demolished as compared with last year, and this can be ascribed in large measure to the increased precautions required on and around building sites by the provisions of the Buildings (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 1964. Progress has been made on planned surveys of dilapidated areas, but the problems associated with dispossessing large numbers of people are such that demolition orders are only issued if there is a real danger of collapse.
STAFF, TRAINING AND WELFARE
3.13. The two posts described in paragraphs 3.04 and 3.11 were created, and approval was given for an additional 5 Building Surveyors, 9 Assistant Building Surveyors, 1 Structural Engineer, and 8 Assistant Structural Engineers, but these were offset by the abolition of 12 supernumerary and/or non-pensionable posts, resulting in a total establishment increase of thirteen.
3.14. Recruitment of suitably qualified professional and technical staff continued to prove difficult, the sub-department having operated with a staff well below establishment during the year.
3.15. Eight Surveying Assistants (Building) Class II were attached to professional officers for training under the professional staff training scheme, for which the Assistant Government Building Surveyor is directly responsible. During the year, these Assistants attended a lecture and practical course in elementary surveying conducted by Crown
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