Building Safety Bill (Third sitting)

Debate between Kate Osborne and Selaine Saxby

Tuesday 14th September 2021 Public Bill Committees

[Selaine Saxby]

Q What else can we do better collectively in future?

Kieran Walker: I think resource and expertise are a big part of this, as is generally having clear and defined methods and processes in perpetuity for the handover of buildings. In the past, we have seen quite loose arrangements in that respect, from developers to management agents. I also think that expertise and training the skills in the sector are important, not just in the latter ends of the building management side, but within local planning authorities, so that planning officers and planning departments understand better the implications of tall buildings, whether from an access perspective, an evacuation perspective or any other matter.

In the detailed design phase, as we will see moving forward, we will need to upskill very rapidly the expertise and resource within the regulator itself, because it is a very complex niche of the market—tall buildings, fire and structure are not just a black-and-white area; it can be quite grey. The upskilling of the workforce, from professionals right down to skilled trades, is one lesson that I think we can all learn.

[Kate Osborne]

Q This question is to Kieran Walker. You mentioned that you would have liked to have seen the framework sooner. Have the Government published enough detail about the new regime, on the roles and responsibilities of duty holders, the golden thread and the gateway process, for example?

Kieran Walker: There could be more—I would be keen to see more and our industry would be keen to see more. There is probably more to come through secondary legislation on the duties of key roles and responsibilities, as well as on the golden thread. I agree that we could see more there.