Backing for LABC building safety demands grows

More than 500 people from local government have attended a series of LABC/LGA (Local Government Association) regional briefings and questions posed at these events have revealed concern about MHCLG’s plans for reform of the building safety regulation system. 

The briefings were part of LABC's outreach exercise to its members, local government senior managers and elected members. The objective was to gain feedback from local authority members on the plans of the MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government).

There was a scepticism about MHCLG’s ability to deal with the volume and detail handled by local authorities particularly because projects can last for years and there was concern that a consultation style of pre-set questions avoided wider considerations.

The questions were described as obvious, but the wider context was missing and it raised more questions than answers. Attendees were concerned that by simply responding to the survey questions they were giving a 'green light' to MHCLG's plans.

A typical response

Councillor Dulcie Tudor (pictured right), from Cornwall Council, who attended the consultation event in Exeter commented, "Cornwall doesn't have many tall tower blocks but we do have a lot of buildings causing concern at 18 metres or lower when you factor in the risks of vulnerable people. 

"There are many other buildings where we want to see better fire protection. Standards need raising across all work and surely every household with children, elderly people, people who are ill or have limited sight, mobility or hearing all need equal protection?"

She continued, "One central body, based hundreds of miles away will never be able to deal with construction quality in our county. The tradespeople, contractors, architects and building engineers tend to work relatively locally.

"How will a central body work with our local construction businesses without going through Cornwall Council's Building Control team (who provide the building control function for more than 70% of projects in the county) and our local fire and rescue service? 

"This consultation asks a great many questions, but I have many more I want to ask in return because I can't see a simple functioning system that gives the people of Cornwall and Cornwall Council clear, local regulatory control over new and existing buildings where our communities live and sleep.

Widespread confusion

LABC's Deputy Chief Executive, Lorna Stimpson added, "Councillor Tudor's response is typical of all those we received at these briefings. We found widespread confusion because the consultation doesn't describe the proposed system.

“The Hackitt Final Report was very clear in its 53 recommendations, but this consultation is not clear. People are asking us where Dame Judith's "systemic approach" has gone?

“The JCA (Joint Competent Authority) has disappeared. Why?

“Despite what Dame Judith said, it appears there will continue to be a choice of building control provider. Why? 

This is not a true consultation on 'Building a Safer Future' at all because the important overview of the system and the vital pieces of information are missing.

“Has this been done on purpose? LABC thinks it has.

“Have officials been unduly influenced by private sector building control lobbying and are they hiding their true intentions?"
 

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