New inquiry: Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Building Safety Bill
5 Aug 2020 11:58 AM
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has announced a new inquiry to undertake pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Building Safety Bill.
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has announced a new inquiry to undertake pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Building Safety Bill.
The draft bill sets out how the Government intends to put into law the policies set out in its earlier consultation, and effect change that reflects the principles and recommendations of the Hackitt report into building regulations and fire safety.
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee will undertake detailed examination of the draft Bill to assess its policy objectives, key provisions and likely impact against its aims in five key areas set out in the Government’s consultation: accountability; residents’ voice; enforcement and sanctions; product testing and the regulatory system.
This will include assessment of:
- How well does the Bill, as drafted, meet the Government’s own policy intentions?
- Does the draft Bill establish an appropriate scope for the new regulatory system?
- Will the Bill provide for a robust – and realistic – system of accountability for those responsible for building safety? Are the sanctions on those who do not meet their responsibilities strong enough?
- Will the Bill provide strong mechanisms to ensure residents are listened to when they have concerns about their building’s safety?
- Is the Government right to propose a new Building Safety Charge? Does the bill introduce sufficient protections to ensure that leaseholders do not face excessive charges and that their funds are properly managed?
- Does the Bill improve the product testing regime in a way that will command the full confidence of the sector?
- Is it right that the new Building Safety Regulator be established under the Health and Safety Executive, and how should it be funded?
- Does the Bill present an opportunity to address other building safety issues, such as requirements for sprinkler systems?
Chair's comments
Announcing the new inquiry, Clive Betts MP said:
“The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has dedicated significant time over the last two years to understand what lessons need to be learned from the failures that led to the Grenfell disaster and are committed to ensuring that reforms are in place to make sure the same mistakes cannot be repeated.
“We must ensure that the lasting legacy of Grenfell isn’t just improvements to the rules and regulations governing how buildings should be made safe. It is vital that there is meaningful and lasting reform that empowers residents and gives them more say in how buildings are run. We must also examine how well the Government’s proposed legislation meets their commitment to implement the recommendations of the Hackitt review.
“There must also be greater accountability built into the system to make sure that there is no repeat of the current situation that many leaseholders find themselves in, bearing the cost for removing potentially flammable cladding installed on their buildings that they had no say in.
“The draft bill must enable profound change of the regulatory system, give greater clarity of the rights of residents and toughen the responsibilities of builders, developers and freeholders. This is the standard we will hold the Government to as we investigate its proposals.”
Further information