4. Statement by the Minister for Housing and Local Government: The Building Safety Regime White Paper

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:24 pm on 19 January 2021.

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Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 4:24, 19 January 2021

(Translated)

Generally, Plaid Cymru welcomes this White Paper. Our understanding is that it will apply to new buildings only and won't be retrospective in terms of older buildings. So, can we have it on the record that the Government also wants to tackle problems in a retrospective manner too, because many people are living in flats that aren't currently safe? And I know that the Minister feels the same as I do on this, and people are unable to sell those properties because of terrible failings in the planning system over the past decades. We must require developers to take responsibility on this. And I know, again, that the Minister agrees with me on that, but I would like to know what the Government intends to do retrospectively.

Can you provide us with more detail as to how you're intending to do some things, please? I wanted to ask some questions on the accountable individual. What will happen when the accountable individual raises problems but they are ignored? Some measures are inadequate, and, in most cases, people won't want to put their positions at risk. What happens when that accountable individual leaves the role? Will the new appointee be responsible for decisions that had been taken before they took on that particular role?

And in moving, finally, to requirements in terms of engagement and resolving complaints, the White Paper notes that the regulator will have a role when problems can't be resolved. Can you be more specific, please, and outline how the Government intends to restore confidence in those bodies that have allowed a number of unacceptable situations to develop over the past few years? After all, the Grenfell residents were ignored over a period of years, and their complaints were treated in a very prejudicial manner. So, what steps can the Government take to ensure that such issues don't arise? Thank you.