Asked by: Emma Dent Coad (Labour - Kensington)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether funding for social housing providers to remove Grenfell-style cladding systems includes the cost of the removal of non-aluminium composite material cladding systems.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
Grant funding will be available to cover all reasonable costs for the remediation of unsafe Aluminium Cladding Material cladding systems, which have failed large-scale fire performance tests commissioned by Government in 2017, on social housing buildings 18 metres and over owned by local authorities and housing associations.
Building owners should be taking the steps necessary to ensure the safety of their buildings. We have issued advice for building owners on assessing the safety of other cladding systems.
We can continue to provide local authorities financial flexibilities for all other essential fire safety work. Housing associations which remain concerned about their ability to meet costs should contact the Regulator of Social Housing.
Asked by: Emma Dent Coad (Labour - Kensington)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the fire risks posed by non-aluminium composite material cladding systems.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
I refer the Hon. Member to my answer of 22 November to Question UIN 192840.
Asked by: Emma Dent Coad (Labour - Kensington)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 3.9 of the report to the leadership team of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Housing options and support for secure tenants of the Walkways, Treadgold House and Bramley House in temporary accommodation, published on 25 July 2018, what representations the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has made to his Department for additional funds to implement options (i) and (ii).
Answered by Kit Malthouse
To date, Government has spent over £46 million to support recovery following the Grenfell Tower fire, and has committed an additional £34 million, which includes re-housing costs, new mental health support services, investment in the Lancaster West Estate and a new community space.
With reference solely to options (i) and (ii) in paragraph 3.9 of the 'Housing options and support for secure tenants of the Walkways, Treadgold House and Bramley House in temporary accommodation leadership report' Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) has not made any representations for funds specifically to implement those options.
Following the tragedy, the Department agreed that Government funding would be provided to support those made permanently homeless by the fire, RBKC would support other affected households.
We remain in regular and frequent discussion with RBKC on potential future financial pressures arising from the Grenfell tragedy.
Asked by: Emma Dent Coad (Labour - Kensington)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reason the Vice-Chair of the Regulation Committee at the Homes & Communities Agency was appointed as the Interim Chair for a period of 12 months instead of a permanent appointee being recruited.
Answered by Dominic Raab
The previous Chair, Julian Ashby, stepped down unexpectedly in January 2018 to take up another position which could have been perceived to be a conflict of interest. The decision was taken to appoint the deputy Chair into the role of Interim Chair for a period of 12 months to provide continuity as the Regulator of Social Housing becomes a stand alone organsiation. A campaign to recruit the permanent Chair will launch after the publication of the Social Housing Green Paper to ensure the job specification fully reflects the Government’s priorities for social housing.
Asked by: Emma Dent Coad (Labour - Kensington)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will place in the Library a copy of the (a) Job Description and (b) Person Specification for the role of Chair of the Regulation Committee of the Homes and Communities Agency.
Answered by Dominic Raab
A copy of the current job description will be placed in the Library. This will be refreshed, alongside the person specification, ahead of launching a campaign to recruit a permanent Chair later in the year. They will be posted on the Centre for Public Appointments website when the recruitment campaign launches. The appointment will be run in line with Civil Service Commissioners/Centre for Public Appointments guidance.