The LGA welcomes the opportunity to submit evidence to the independent review of building regulations and fire safety. Councils across the country are clear that no one should have to live in fear about their safety, be that in the buildings they live in, work in or visit.
The tragedy at Grenfell Tower has clearly exposed a systemic failure of the building regulation system, which needs to be addressed urgently to ensure such an incident never happens again.
Whilst the primary focus since Grenfell has, understandably, been fire safety in high-rise towers, we urge the independent review to look more broadly at building regulation and fire safety issues that affect all buildings, to ensure there are robust procedures in place across the board. Furthermore, recommendations arising from the review should be given clear deadlines for implementation.
Whilst our response covers the specific questions in the call for evidence, it can be split broadly into two themes. Those looking at fire safety when buildings are being constructed and post-construction fire safety.
In relation to both themes we feel that there needs either to be a single point of responsibility or greater clarity over the responsibilities of those building and/or owning blocks and the regulators of construction and ongoing safety. All of these arrangements need to be clear to residents, to those responsible for construction at the sharp end and to those with day-to-day responsibility for managing buildings.
Read the full submission
LGA submission to the call for evidence for the independent review of building regulations and fire safety, 13 October 2017