Collection GB 0074 ACC/2281 - ASSISTANT DISTRICT SURVEYORS' ASSOCIATION

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0074 ACC/2281

Title

ASSISTANT DISTRICT SURVEYORS' ASSOCIATION

Date(s)

  • 1973-1986 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

0.30 linear metres

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Membership of the association was open to all assistant district surveyors employed in the District Surveyor's Offices in Inner London. The association was wound up on 3 March 1986 as a result of the impending abolition of the Greater London Council.

The District Surveyor's Offices were part of the GLC Architect's Department. Building control in inner London was administered at a local level by district surveyors from the mid nineteenth century to 1986. District Surveyors were a statutory, independent body responsible for surveying and supervising all construction work in their districts. They inspected plans and buildings to ensure quality of construction and compliance with statutory requirements under London Building Acts and bye laws. Reports were made to the relevant central administrative authority. In latter years, together with the Building Regulations Division of the Greater London Council's Department of Architecture and Civic Design, district surveyors were responsible for executing the Council's statutory duties under the London Building Acts. Before the abolition of the GLC in 1986, there were about 300 district surveyors and 27 offices administering areas roughly equivalent in size to former metropolitan boroughs. Anyone wishing to construct or alter a building in inner London had to give notice to the relevant district surveyor two days before work was begun. Notice included submission of detailed plans and specifications of the proposed construction for inspection and approval by the district surveyor. Building work requested by the Council's Building Regulations Division, in relation to particular statutory requirements such as means of escape, structural fire precautions such as means of escape, structural fire precautions and waivers of bye-laws, had to be completed to the satisfaction of the district surveyor. Reports were made to the Council through the superintending Architect of Metropolitan Buildings. Where aspects of a proposed work contravened Building Acts or bye laws, the district surveyor could serve a "Notice of Objection" on the builder or owner. If work had begun or been completed a "Notice of Irregularity" could be served. Failure to comply constituted a serious offence. Appeals against decisions could be made to the Council and then to a Tribunal of Appeal. Income of district surveyors was paid by the Council based on the cost of buildings inspected. District surveyors had particular responsibility for dangerous neglected structures. They reported instances to the Council, surveyed and took any action necessary to remove immediate danger. They could also be called on to survey party structures and had the right to inspect buildings on which no notice had been served.

Archival history

GB 0074 ACC/2281 1973-1986 Collection 0.30 linear metres Assistant District Surveyors' Association

Membership of the association was open to all assistant district surveyors employed in the District Surveyor's Offices in Inner London. The association was wound up on 3 March 1986 as a result of the impending abolition of the Greater London Council.

The District Surveyor's Offices were part of the GLC Architect's Department. Building control in inner London was administered at a local level by district surveyors from the mid nineteenth century to 1986. District Surveyors were a statutory, independent body responsible for surveying and supervising all construction work in their districts. They inspected plans and buildings to ensure quality of construction and compliance with statutory requirements under London Building Acts and bye laws. Reports were made to the relevant central administrative authority. In latter years, together with the Building Regulations Division of the Greater London Council's Department of Architecture and Civic Design, district surveyors were responsible for executing the Council's statutory duties under the London Building Acts. Before the abolition of the GLC in 1986, there were about 300 district surveyors and 27 offices administering areas roughly equivalent in size to former metropolitan boroughs. Anyone wishing to construct or alter a building in inner London had to give notice to the relevant district surveyor two days before work was begun. Notice included submission of detailed plans and specifications of the proposed construction for inspection and approval by the district surveyor. Building work requested by the Council's Building Regulations Division, in relation to particular statutory requirements such as means of escape, structural fire precautions such as means of escape, structural fire precautions and waivers of bye-laws, had to be completed to the satisfaction of the district surveyor. Reports were made to the Council through the superintending Architect of Metropolitan Buildings. Where aspects of a proposed work contravened Building Acts or bye laws, the district surveyor could serve a "Notice of Objection" on the builder or owner. If work had begun or been completed a "Notice of Irregularity" could be served. Failure to comply constituted a serious offence. Appeals against decisions could be made to the Council and then to a Tribunal of Appeal. Income of district surveyors was paid by the Council based on the cost of buildings inspected. District surveyors had particular responsibility for dangerous neglected structures. They reported instances to the Council, surveyed and took any action necessary to remove immediate danger. They could also be called on to survey party structures and had the right to inspect buildings on which no notice had been served.

Records deposited in May 1986 (gift).

Records of the Assistant District Surveyors' Association, including Secretary's correspondence and papers; and subject files relating to building regulations and proposals affecting District Surveyors.

ACC/2281/001-007: Secretary's papers; ACC/2281/008-012: Subject files.

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.

Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.

English

Fit

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

For records of the District Surveyor's Offices, see the papers of the GLC, reference GLC/AR/DS.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

June to August 2010. Town and country planning Planning control Building regulations People People by occupation Personnel Local government personnel Organizations Associations Professional associations Urban development Building surveyors Surveyors Assistant District Surveyors' Association GLC , Greater London Council x Greater London Council London England UK Western Europe Europe

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Records deposited in May 1986 (gift).

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Records of the Assistant District Surveyors' Association, including Secretary's correspondence and papers; and subject files relating to building regulations and proposals affecting District Surveyors.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

ACC/2281/001-007: Secretary's papers; ACC/2281/008-012: Subject files.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

For records of the District Surveyor's Offices, see the papers of the GLC, reference GLC/AR/DS.

Finding aids

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

London Metropolitan Archives

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area