The Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local
Government, , delivered an update on
building safety in Wales in the Senedd.
The update included progress being made to reform the design,
construction and occupation of buildings as well as an update on
the progress towards repairing buildings in Wales.
Addressing the Siambr, the Cabinet Secretary said: “We have
introduced tighter regulations of higher risk buildings, as well
as a new regulatory system for registration and oversight of the
building control profession, including building control approvers
and building inspectors working in both the private sector and
local authorities.
“The next stage of reforms to the building control regime in
Wales will deal with Duty holder roles, Gateways, Golden Thread
of Information, Mandatory Occurrence Reporting and Compliance and
Stop Notices. A consultation on these reforms is scheduled for
spring 2025.”
407 buildings are currently in the Welsh Building Safety
Programme. 43% of these buildings have either been completed,
have works underway or do not require fire safety works.
Plans are under development on 37% of buildings and the Welsh
Government are working with the remaining 20% to identify repair
needs.
The Cabinet Secretary also announced that the Building Safety
Bill will be introduced before summer recess 2025.
The Bill will establish a new regime in Wales focussing on the
occupation phase and will cover the regulation of building safety
risks in multi-occupied residential buildings.
Plans include the introduction of Accountable Persons, who will
be responsible for assessing and managing building safety risks
in these buildings.
Local Authorities will regulate the new occupation phase regime,
including holding the register of in-scope buildings, and will
work with Fire and Rescue Authorities who will remain responsible
for regulating many of the fire safety measures that will form
part of the Bill.
The Cabinet Secretary continued: “I want to ensure the new regime
empowers residents by placing their lived experience, safety and
wellbeing at its heart.
“The regime will set out clear requirements to support residents
with enhanced rights and a stronger voice in matters that affect
their homes.”
In support of this approach, Welsh Government commissioned
independent research to engage with residents from both the
social and private sectors, living in multi-occupied residential
buildings.
The findings of which reinforce the importance of placing
residents at the heart of our proposals to reform building
safety.
Anyone with an interest in the Building Safety Programme can
receive regular updates by signing up to the Building Safety
Newsletter.
