Key Facts

• The amendment aims to mandate the building safety regulator to mitigate risks due to climate change, including flood risk, coastal erosion, and overheating.
• Existing statutory objectives of the Building Safety Regulator already cover safety issues resulting from climate change.
• The government's future homes standard will ensure that new homes produce at least 75% fewer CO2 emissions by 2025 compared to current standards.
• Amendment seeks to broaden the definition of 'safety' in clause 3.
• The amendment aims to cover risks beyond high-rise buildings and fire.
• It addresses housing health and safety issues, including air pollution, overheating, noise pollution, poor accessibility, lack of green space, and cramped living conditions.
• Clause 5 of the Building Safety Bill states that the regulator must keep under review the safety of people in or about buildings.
• The amendment suggests additional language regarding injury to health and wellbeing.
• Phil Davies advocates for maintaining clarity and functionality in legislation.
• The Building Safety Bill is seen as an improvement but has gaps in coverage for certain types of buildings.
• Student accommodation, care homes, schools, and other existing dangerous buildings may be excluded from the scope.
• Amendment 10 aims to define safety as 'the risk of harm arising from the location, construction or operation of buildings which may injure the health and wellbeing of individuals.'
• The Building Safety Regulator has a responsibility to horizon scan as per clause 5.
• Section 1 of the Building Act 1984 allows building regulations to address “welfare and convenience” alongside health and safety.
• The amendment could redefine safety to include wellbeing, which is not necessary and could dilute the clarity of the regulator’s mission.
• The amendment adds owners of residential units to the list of relevant persons for assistance from the Building Safety Regulator.
• Clause 4 requires the regulator to assist and encourage those responsible for high-rise residential buildings in ensuring safety.
• The shadow Building Safety Regulator is releasing guidance documents over the next 18 months.
• In-scope buildings include those over 18 metres or seven storeys with two or more dwelling places.
• Other in-scope buildings include care homes and hospitals that meet the criteria.
• Student accommodation is included under the definition.
• Clause 5 gives the Building Safety Regulator flexibility to monitor building safety and builder standards.
• A new building advisory committee will be established within the Building Safety Regulator.
• The regulator will work with residents panels, research, and other information sources to analyse risks and make recommendations.
• Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review highlighted the need for improved competence across the built environment sector.
• The Building Safety Regulator will play a key role in raising industry standards by setting strategic direction for an industry competence committee.
• The regulator may propose changes to building regulations and/or part 4 regulations under the Bill.
• MP Philip Davies speaks about the Building Safety Bill during a Public Bill Committee sitting.
• He suggests avoiding extensive discussions on residents’ panels during the current clause.
• The matter of residents’ panels is to be covered more fully in clause 11.
• Clause 8 establishes a voluntary occurrence reporting system about building safety.
• Reports will be submitted through an online portal by persons who identify actual or potential risks to life safety.
• The Building Safety Regulator will ensure that reports are anonymised, analysed, and published online for industry learning.
• This system complements mandatory reporting and whistleblowing mechanisms.
• The statement pertains to Clauses 9 through 12 of the Building Safety Bill.
• Philip Davies is proposing that clauses 10 to 12 stand part of the Bill.
• The building advisory committee will provide independent expert advice on matters across the built environment.
• The industry competence committee will monitor and improve industry competence, advise regulators, and conduct research.
• Clause 11 mandates the establishment of a residents’ panel consisting of actual high-rise residential building occupants.
• Clause 12 allows the Secretary of State to bring forward regulations to amend or repeal provisions setting up the building advisory committee, committee on industry competence, and residents’ panel.
• The Health and Safety Executive advises that the Bill should include flexibility for the regulator’s committee structure over time.
• Regulations brought forward by the Secretary of State must be approved by both Houses using the affirmative procedure.
• Clauses 13 to 16 of the Building Safety Bill are being discussed.
• The clauses relate to local authorities and fire and rescue authorities providing assistance to the regulator.
• Dame Judith’s independent review recommended collaboration between the Health and Safety Executive, local authority building control, and fire and rescue authorities.
• The Building Safety Regulator will take a multidisciplinary team approach involving local authority staff and fire and rescue service personnel.
• Local expertise is crucial for efficient regulation of high-rise residential buildings.
• The new regulatory regime avoids the best inspectors moving to the national inspectorate, retaining local expertise.
• The Government has spent considerable public money recruiting experts over the past 18 months.
• Clause 3 provides legal duties for cooperation between the Building Safety Regulator and local authorities/fire services.
• Local authorities must use competent staff when supporting the regulator (Clause 15).
• Funding will be provided through grants from the Secretary of State and reimbursement systems.
• Clause 17 - Strategic plan.
• Clauses 18 to 20 are also considered for standing part of the Bill.
• The Building Safety Regulator must consult with its residents' panel when developing its strategic plan.
• Annual reports will be published by the regulator about information provided through mandatory occurrence reporting.
• Clause 20 requires the regulator to publish an annual statement on how it engages residents.
• The Building Safety Regulator must report publicly on its engagement plans.
• Parliament will scrutinise the process of the regulator's strategic plan.
• Clause 17, along with clauses 18 to 20, are ordered to stand part of the Bill.