In 2008 the government issued a directive to all Local Authority County Managers that they were to put into place a formal policy for taking into charge completed developments. The taking in charge policies adopted by Local Authorities are the requirements which need to be met by developers when seeking to get the public roads, footpaths, open spaces etc handed over to the local authority and ultimately (and importantly these days) to get the security (Bond) returned. These policies vary from county to county but generally require as a minimum the following works to be undertaken, CCTV surveys of the drainage network, as constructed drawings of the areas to be taken in charge together with detailed as constructed drawings of all buried services. The Local Authority will inspect the works on site to ensure that they have been constructed to the appropriate standard and where necessary a snag list of defects which require resolution will be prepared. Once all of the works/defects are completed to the satisfaction of the Local Authority the Authority will release the security (bond) lodged to secure completion of the works and proceed to take the development in charge. Partial release of the bond can be negotiated with the Local Authority where the works are completed on a phased basis or where a substantial amount of the works have been completed. Where developments include the upgrade of existing public infrastructure or the construction of new public infrastructure on behalf of the Local Authority a 12 month maintenance period is required upon satisfactory completion of the works. The CFAT professional team can assist in all aspects of the taking in charge process and in securing the speedy return of the bond.
