6. Statement by the Minister for Housing and Local Government: The Welsh Government Response to the Building Safety Expert Group's Roadmap

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:05 pm on 21 May 2019.

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Photo of John Griffiths John Griffiths Labour 5:05, 21 May 2019

Since 2017, as a committee, we've been calling for a change to the fire safety regulations, and in particular a revision of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This new legislation to set standards for people undertaking fire risk assessments that we've discussed would place a requirement for those assessments to be undertaken annually and clarify that fire doors that act as front doors of common areas are therefore within the scope of the Order. Those are points that we made as a committee—that we want to see those matters addressed and the legislation revised in this current Assembly term. So, that very much, I think, speaks to that appropriate balance of urgency and getting it right. And, of course, the building safety expert group also recommended legislation to replace the fire safety Order. So, while pleased that there is a commitment from Government, Minister, to get that new legislation in place, again I am disappointed that it wouldn't be in this current Assembly term, because that means at least another two years, really, of waiting, before that important legislation is introduced, and even longer before it's actually implemented. The committee, I think, was quite clear that the matters that it would cover are too important, really, to be subject to any unnecessary delay. So, I would urge you, as I think David Melding did, to think again on those matters and the prioritisation and urgency that they require.

In terms of building control, and, again, the appropriate regulatory framework and necessary changes, we were very clear, I hope, and keen, that only local authority building control inspectors should act in that regulatory way for high-rise residential blocks, and we set out our thinking and evidence for that, which I know you rejected at the time. But you did state that you would take account of capacity and competence and those general issues as proposals are developed for the sector. So, I wonder now, in terms of the road map not making a specific recommendation about this—the recommendation that the committee made—whether you would consider whether there is sufficient capacity within the building control sector to deliver any new system, and whether that should include a consideration of the role of approved inspectors in the way that the committee has suggested. So, if you could say a little more about that, I'd be, again, very grateful. And, of course, regulation of agents who manage high-rise residential buildings is another issue that comes within that consideration of regulation and changes to be made. I wonder if, again, you could say a little bit more about what the Welsh Government will do—setting out the process as far as that's concerned.

Finally, Dirprwy Lywydd, in terms of the road map again and the retrofitting of sprinklers, I'm grateful, again, for the setting out that you stated earlier in terms of steps to encourage and promote that retrofitting, but again, as I think David Melding suggested, I do feel that we need to hear a little bit more, and have a little bit more confidence and detail in terms of how necessary progress will be achieved.