5. What is the Welsh Government doing to improve fire safety standards on residential complexes in South Wales Central? OAQ54490

The Welsh Government is committed to using existing devolved powers to improve fire safety standards in all high-rise residential buildings in Wales, ensuring residents feel safe and secure in their homes. I am working towards a White Paper setting out proposed reforms ahead of new legislation during the next Assembly term.

Minister, this is very important work. You may know that the fire service has issued enforcement notices at Celestia Homes, where there are deficiencies in external blocking and cladding, the compartmentalisation of these buildings is inadequate, and, as a result, leaseholders are now facing very substantial sums of money to put these things right. This housing was built in 2006, and assurances were given by the developers then, Redrow and Laing O'Rourke, that they were of the highest quality, referring specifically to their fire safety excellence. And now, despite the record profits that Redrow have made recently, they're not giving adequate advice, far less support; they are merely allowing these people to face these very considerable charges themselves. Now, this is not adequate. Clearly, where we are with fire safety has been massively informed by Grenfell, and at the very least we need a partnership with those who built these properties and the current residents, and not just a complete shifting of responsibility onto those who are left living there in inadequate housing. 

Yes, I completely agree with that. Our first priority is the safety of residents and tenants and we've sought assurances, on all of the buildings that we're aware of, that the appropriate interim safety measures are in place immediately, and a clear plan for long-term mitigation is also put in place as soon as possible. We are working in partnership with the relevant local authorities, fire and rescue services, the building owners and the managing agents. As the law currently stands, building safety is the responsibility of building owners and their managing agents, as enforced through the services. Enforcement powers are with the local authorities under the housing Act and the fire and rescue services under the fire safety Order, as I know David Melding already knows. So, we've been consistent in saying exactly what he's just said—that leaseholders and residents should not be expected to pay to rectify issues that constitute a failure to build to appropriate quality standards or where matters are in breach of building regulations. I am doing an oral statement to the Assembly later on this month to go into that in more detail, but broadly I agree with the proposition he puts forward.