THE deadline for Somerset West’s annual Building Control awards ceremony is fast approaching – and nominations are needed now to ensure as many projects as possible can compete for recognition.

The awards ceremony, organised by Building Control sections in West Somerset, Taunton Deane and Sedgemoor councils, aims to recognise the best in design and construction for projects, completed in the past 12 months, that have come through Local Authority Building Control (LABC).

Local winners are eligible for entry to the LABC South West regional awards, and, if successful there, could go on to win coveted national honours.

Nominations close on Friday, December 20, and the awards ceremony will be held in Sedgemoor District Council’s Chamber on Friday, January 31, 2014.

Nominations can be made by contacting Building Control at your local council – West Somerset, Taunton Deane or Sedgemoor.

There are awards for a range of projects, with categories ranging from best new single dwelling to the best large development, best sustainable building and best community or education building. Past winners have included the Museum of Somerset in Taunton, Chilton Trinity School in Bridgwater and Malthouse Court in Watchet.

The Local Authority Building Control service (LABC) provides building regulation services, and promote, support and enhance compliance with the building regulations and strive to improve standards in the building industry.

In the Somerset West area, Building Control teams work in collaboration, providing advice, guidance and professional expertise and ensuring the highest possible standards are delivered to customers – whether individuals planning home extensions to development companies.

Officers’ expertise is considerable – Jayne Hall who heads up West Somerset Council’s team is Chairman of the South West Region LABC and Junior Vice President of the national LABC organisation, while Rob Gary, Area Building Control Manager at Taunton Deane/Sedgemoor, sits on the Association of Building Engineer’s Board and Chairs the Regional South West Committee.

“Many people do not realise the range of services we provide,” said Jayne Hall. “Our pre-application service is free of charge so we can help people from the outset without them having to pay a penny.

“We have a great deal of expertise, with more than 250 years construction industry experience between us, together with intimate knowledge of the local area and we are commercially aware of the pressures facing those delivering construction projects.”