Inquiry into fire safety in high-rise buildings

Inquiry into fire safety in high-rise buildings

Inquiry5

 

The Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee undertook three phases of its work on this inquiry during the Fifth Senedd.

 

Phase one: public sector

Phase one of the inquiry focussed on fire safety in high-rise buildings in the public sector.

 

The areas for consideration were:

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>>>What fire safety requirements/measures are currently in place in Welsh high rise blocks

>>>Are there any obvious gaps or weaknesses in the current system of regulation in Wales of fire safety in high rise blocks?

>>>Is guidance to residents of high rise blocks in Wales, in the event of a fire, appropriate?

>>>How are residents in Wales being informed about recent developments and reassured about fire safety measures in their block? More broadly, to what extent are resident’s views about fire safety being listened to and addressed.

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The Committee held a number of evidence sessions to inform the work which can be viewed in the table below.

 

Evidence session

Date, agenda, minutes

Transcript

Video

1.    Fire and Rescue Services

Stuart Millington, Senior Fire Safety Manager, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Steve Rossiter, T/Area Manager, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Iwan Cray, Area Manager, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

13 July 2017

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2.    Professional bodies

Matt Dicks, Director, Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru

Steve Clarke, Managing Director, Welsh Tenants

13 July 2017

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3.     Professional bodies

David Wilton, Director, TPAS

Gareth John, Freelance Consultant, Chartered Institute of Building

13 July 2017

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4.    Local government representatives

Tony Jones, Capital Works Team Manager, Flintshire County Council

Sarah McGill, Corporate Chief Officer for Communities, Cardiff Council

Colin Blackmore, Estates Improvement Manager, Cardiff Council

Martin Nicholls, Director of Place, City and County of Swansea

Councillor Clive Lloyd, Deputy Leader of Swansea Council

13 July 2017

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5.    Housing Representatives

Stuart Ropke, Chief Executive, Community Housing Cymru

Ceri Doyle, Chief Executive, Newport City Homes

Mike Owen, Chief Executive, Merthyr Valleys Homes

Tim Beckingsale, Interim Director of Asset Management, Pobl Group

Alan Brunt, Chief Executive, Bron Afon Community Housing

13 July 2017

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6.    Welsh Government

Lesley Griffiths AM, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs

Carl Sargeant AM, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

Martin Swain, Deputy Director, Community Safety, Welsh Government

Emma Williams, Deputy Director, Housing Policy, Welsh Government

Neil Hemington, Head of Planning, Welsh Government

27 September 2017

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Phase two: private sector

Phase two of the inquiry focussed on fire safety in high-rise buildings in the private sector.

 

The areas for consideration were:

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>>>How has the private sector responded to concerns about fire safety in high rise residential blocks?

>>>What is the extent of remedial work that needs to be done to meet fire safety standards in Wales, and what arrangements are in place to cover the costs?

>>>How are leaseholders/residents in Wales being informed about recent developments and reassured about fire safety measures in their block? More broadly, to what extent are residents’ views about fire safety being listened to and addressed.

>>>What, if any, additional practical or financial support is needed from the Welsh or UK Governments to help ensure high rise blocks are safe.

<<< 

 

The Committee held a number of evidence sessions to inform the work which can be viewed in the table below. Additionally, the Committee consulted on this topic. The consultation responses can be viewed below.

 

Evidence session

Date, agenda, minutes

Transcript

Video

1.    Fire and Rescue Services

David Hancock, Group Manager, Head of Business Fire Safety, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Kevin Roberts, Senior Fire Safety Manager, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Christian Hadfield, GM - Operations Department, Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Owen Jayne, Group Manager, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service

27 September 2018

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2.    Managing agents

Nigel Glen, Chief Executive Officer, Association of Residential Managing Agents

Jason Clarke, Head of Risk Management, Warwick Estates

Rachel Dobson, Head of Health and Safety, Mainstay Group Limited

Julie Griffiths, Property Manager for managed properties in Wales, Mainstay Group Limited

David Clark, Chairman, Mainstay Group Limited

27 September 2018

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3.    Federation of Private Residents Association

Cassandra Zanelli, honorary consultant to the Federation of Private Residents Association

27 September 2018

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4.    Local government representatives

Jim McKirdle, Housing Policy Officer, Welsh Local Government Association

Graham Bond, Acting Building Control Manager, Planning, Transport and Environment, Cardiff Council

Dave Holland, Head of Shared Regulatory Services, Shared Regulatory Services, Bridgend, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan

27 September 2018

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5.    Minister for Housing and Regeneration

Rebecca Evans AM, Minister for Housing and Regeneration

Emma Williams, Deputy Director, Housing Policy Division, Education and Public Services Group, Welsh Government

Francois Samuel, Head of Building Regulations, Building Regulations, Planning Directorate, Welsh Government

Andy Fry OBE, Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor and Inspector for Wales, Fire Services Branch, Education and Public Services Group, Welsh Government

Huw Maguire, Senior Policy Manager, Housing Policy, Education and Public Services Group, Welsh Government

11 October 2018

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6.    Viridis Real Estate

Tom Jones, Senior Project Manager, Viridis Real Estate

25 October 2018

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Report

The Committee published its report: Fire safety in high-rise buildings (private sector) in November 2018.

 

The Welsh Government laid its response to the report in January 2019. The report and government response was debated in Plenary on 16 January 2019.

 

Update

Following the publication of the Grenfell Tower inquiry report, the Committee held a follow up scrutiny session with the Minister for Housing and Local Government on Thursday 5 December 2019.

 

Phase three: Welsh Government white paper - Safer Buildings in Wales: A Consultation

 

The Committee undertook a third phase of work on the inquiry following the Welsh Government’s publication of a white paper “Safer Buildings in Wales: A Consultation” on 12 January 2021. The Committee considered progress made on improving fire safety and invited stakeholders’ views on how the white paper may impact their work and building safety, focussing on private sector high rise residential buildings. The Committee’s findings from this third phase of the inquiry were submitted to the Welsh Government as a formal response to the White Paper.

 

Evidence session

Date, agenda, minutes

Transcript

Video

1.    Fire and Rescue Services

Owen Jayne, Group Manager, Head of Business Fire Safety, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Siôn Slaymaker, Group Manager, Head of Business Fire Safety, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Bob Mason, Head of Business Fire Safety, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service

25 February 2021

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2.   Professional bodies

Paul Edwards, Senior Regional Director, NHBC

Peter Richards, Chair, Local Authority Building Control Cymru

Andrew Thomas, Senior Building Control officer, Fire Safety working Group,

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

25 February 2021

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3.    Managing Agents

Jason Clarke, Head of Risk Management, Warwick Estates

Nigel Glen, Chief Exectuive Officer, ARMA

Mark Snelling, Health, Safety and Fire Advisor, ARMA

25 February 2021

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As part of its phase 3 work, the Committee held virtual focus groups with stakeholders. A summary note of the focus group discussions is available.

 

Committee’s response to the Welsh Government consultation

 

The Committee submitted and published its response to the Welsh Government White Paper “Safer Buildings in Wales” on 25 March 2021.

Business type: Committee Inquiry

Reason considered: Senedd Business;

Status: Complete

First published: 22/06/2017

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