In a written Ministerial Statement published on 18
December, Secretary of State James Brokenshire announced the
publication of an Implementation Plan, explaining how the
Government will implement the recommendations made by Dame Judith Hackitt in her review of building
regulations and fire safety published on 17 May 2018
following the Grenfell Tower fire.
Set out in the Government's Implementation Plan is a proposal to
establish a Joint Regulators' Group to trial elements of a new
regulatory system ahead of any new proposed legislation. The Group
will bring existing regulatory bodies together to work with
developers and building owners, as well as seeking input from
residents and tenants, to develop and test new approaches that may
later feature in legislation.
The Joint Regulators Group' will comprise key regulators and
others - Local Authority Building Control, The National Fire Chiefs
Council, the Health & Safety Executive, the Local Government
Association which includes the fire and rescue authorities, and
others as required.
In addition to setting out its plans to implement the changes
called for by Dame Judith Hackitt, a full review of fire safety
guidance within building regulations has also been launched. The
Government has issued a 'call for evidence' that will gather expert
advice on the full range of fire safety issues to enable guidance
to be revised.
The Implementation Plan sets out proposals to consult in the
Spring of 2018 on:
- Requirements for residents to be provided with critical safety
information about their building
- Requirements for responsible duty holders to put in place a
Resident Engagement Strategy for high risk buildings
- Options for a clear and quick escalation route for residents'
building safety concerns, including relationships with the new
regulatory framework for building safety and interactions with
existing regulatory and redress schemes.
The Government has also issued a Call for Evidence, inviting views
from residents and those who manage buildings on how to improve
fire and structural safety. This call for evidence invites views on
how residents and landlords/building managers work together
regarding fire and structural safety and good practice on how
residents are supported to each play a part in meeting their
responsibilities.
Responses are particularly welcomed from residents of
multi-occupancy residential buildings, owners and managers of such
buildings and anyone else with an interest in this issue.
Read the Government's Implementation
Plan in full.