Local council building control sections are responsible for the administration of building standard regulations (set by the Secretary of State for Scotland and approved by Parliament). The regulations apply to the construction, alteration, extension, demolition or change of use of a building. Building Control under Falkirk District Council was governed by the Building (Scotland) Act 1959, as amended by the Building (Scotland) Act 1970. The section was initially part of the Strategic Services Department and later was moved to form part of Leisure and Environment, renamed Community and Environmental Services. After 1996 with local government re-organisation, the section became part of Falkirk Council Development Services