Regulation of structural engineers and East Calder, West Lothian: FOI release

Information requested

Any and all information that the Scottish Government can release pertaining to:

• SER Ltd, the company regulating Structural Engineers practising in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.
• Any information they hold pertaining to the structural engineer's plans submitted to West Lothian Council for the works being carried out at 20 Langton Crescent, East Calder, West Lothian - including all submitted amendments.
• The name and company name of the SER registered structural engineer who designed the plans.
• The structural engineer's qualifications - specifically pertaining to his ability to design plans for a structure where there is a change of approx 3.5 metres in height between the neighbouring property levels.
• Any and all other information.

Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide information on points 2, 3 and 4 under exemption section 17(1) of FOISA. The reason why this exemption applies is because Scottish Government have searched their records and they do not hold any information relating to 20 Langton Crescent, East Calder, West Lothian. However, you may wish to contact Chris Rae, Building Standards Manager at West Lothian Council at chris.rae@westlothian.gov.uk or buildingstandards@westlothian.gov.uk in relation to point 2 and 3 and SER admin@ser-ltd.com in relation to point 4 who may be able to help you obtain the information you are looking for.

In relation to points 1 and 5, The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 introduced the option of certifying design or the construction of building work as complying with the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. The certification system is based on the principle that suitably qualified and experienced building professionals and tradesmen can be responsible for ensuring that specified works comply with building regulations. Certification is optional, a choice made by the building warrant applicant as part of the building warrant process provided by local authority verifiers. Certification services can only be undertaken by individuals who are Approved Certifiers of Design or Approved Certifiers of Construction. In Scotland all certifiers must be members of a Certification Scheme which currently has six Scheme Providers. Scheme Providers are audited and appointed by Scottish Minsters to run the schemes and approve certifiers who can demonstrate appropriate competency based upon agreed qualifications, experience and understanding criteria relating to the scope of the work they may certify. Certifiers also have insurance and quality assurance procedures in place to check compliance with building regulations. If you require more information on points 1 and 5 if you could narrow down what you are looking for this will help us search our records.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.