9. Short Debate: Fire safety in high-rise flats: A clear timetable for remediation for residents

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:46 pm on 22 March 2023.

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Photo of Rhys ab Owen Rhys ab Owen Plaid Cymru 6:46, 22 March 2023

Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. My colleagues Janet Finch-Saunders, Mike Hedges and Jane Dodds have asked for a minute each in this debate. Oh, I think Mike has gone, so maybe Mike doesn't want a minute now.

We are discussing building safety in this place because of the Grenfell tragedy. Unfortunately, it took 72 people, and the homelessness and the trauma of many others, to expose the building safety scandal in the UK. In 2017, the then Prime Minister, Theresa May, declared that,

'We cannot and will not ask people to live in unsafe homes.'

Yet, here we are in 2023, with people only a stone's throw away from this Senedd still in fear for their safety and feeling trapped in their own homes. Yesterday, as part of the co-operation agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government, we heard a welcome suite of announcements about measures to move things forward. However, what residents still want to know is: when will their homes be safe? When will they be able to move on with their lives? They feel in limbo. And the statement yesterday, despite taking significant steps forward, did not address that concern. What we as elected representatives hear time and time again is, 'When will this nightmare end?' I would like the Senedd to hear the words of those affected.

'I became involved with the Welsh Cladiators because my mortgage finishes at the end of the year. I am 69, and because a lack of an EWS1, it is unlikely I will get a buyer or remortgage. I make no apologies for it being an investment for retirement, however, I have very few options. I must seriously consider walking away from it and having the apartment repossessed. If this happens, money that would've been used for the security of my wife, if anything happened to me, will no longer be there. It's a source of worry and failure.'

Those are the words of Rob Nicholls, a Swansea Cladiator.

I was pleased to hear yesterday of your work, Gweinidog, with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, but when will we see that guidance come into place? Also, we know that guidelines do not need to be followed; they are suggestions. In addition, we also know that, until remediation work happens, there will still be issues with the devaluation of the property, there'll be issues in attracting buyers and issues in securing mortgages. The crisis has had a huge impact on the mental health of residents. Again, the lack of timetable is a key factor. They have no idea if this nightmare will carry on for years to come.