Industry News


Building Safety conference calls for industry to step up and commit to change


T


he Building Safety Regulator has held its second industry wide conference in Birmingham, marking a major milestone for


the BSR as the new building safety regime was fully established in law. With over 1,300 delegates in attendance, the


conference provided a platform for industry leaders, regulators and resident representatives to discuss the ongoing transformation of the building safety landscape. Te conference showcased BSR’s resident-


centric approach, with several sessions dedicated to industry accountability and empowering residents to ensure their voices are heard in building safety decisions which affect their homes. Sarah Newton, chair of HSE and Philip White,


HSE’s chief inspector of buildings and director of building safety division opened the conference, highlighting BSR’s achievements and outlining its future priorities. Sarah Newton said: “We are committed to putting


residents at the heart of everything we do. At HSE, we understand that building safety is not just about regulation and compliance; it is about people – their lives, their homes, and their communities.” “Te new building safety regime is designed to


“We understand that building safety is not just about regulation and compliance; it is about people – their lives, their homes, and their


communities” Sarah Newton, Chair of HSE


give residents a stronger voice and for industry to ensure that their homes are safe.” “Today gave those on the building safety


frontlines the chance to share our knowledge and collaborate on solutions to translate the new regulatory framework into actionable steps, ensuring the safety of both existing and future buildings.” Philip White said: “So much has happened in the


last year, and at such pace – showing how much we can achieve together when we have a common goal.” “More than 12,000 buildings have been registered with the regulator and many of our conference


delegates, along with others across the UK have already registered as building inspectors and demonstrated their competence.” “Building control professionals play a critical


role in ensuring the safety and quality of our built environment – and above all, being regulated will raise industry standards and increase public trust.” Other key topics discussed at the event included:


• Industry accountability and ownership in delivering safe buildings;


• BSR’s firm but fair approach to enforcement; • Te critical role of building control professionals in raising standards; and


• A need for continued collaboration between industry, regulators and residents.


Panel discussions were hosted with the Construction Leadership Council, emphasising the importance of building safety as a strategic priority for the entire industry. Te conference also extended beyond the UK,


with Dan O’Brien, CEO of cladding safety Victoria in Australian attending as part of an information- gathering visit. His attendance highlighted the vital international collaboration and knowledge-sharing currently taking place in the field of building safety.


Final Grenfell Tower Inquiry report to be published in September


Te final report from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry will be published later this year on 4 September – more than seven years aſter the devastating fire which claimed the lives of 72 people. A brief notice on the inquiry’s official website


said: “Te inquiry has written to core participants to inform them that the phase two report will be published on Wednesday 4 September 2024. Further information about the arrangements for publication will be published in due course.” Te Met Police and Crown Prosecution Service


have said no charges will be announced until late 2026 at the earliest due to the “complexity” of the inquiry. Any criminal trials are not due to begin until 2027. Tis inquiry’s report will examine how the


tower block came to be in a condition that allowed the fire to spread. Te final hearing for this phase of the inquiry took place in November 2022. It examined a total of 1,500 witness statements and 300,000 documents. Te report into phase one focused on the


factual narrative of the events on the night of the blaze. It was published in October 2019. It concluded the tower’s cladding did not comply with building regulations and was the “principal” reason for the rapid and “profoundly shocking” spread of the blaze. “When the report is finally released, we


need to know that Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s recommendations will be implemented by the new government in power,” the bereaved families and survivors group said. “Nearly five years since the publication of the first report, the Government has failed to implement four of the phase one recommendations.” “Te Public Inquiry phase two report will


hopefully give us the truth we deserve, but it needs to bring the change we so desperately need to see. Tis change is the legacy for our loved ones. And to ensure no one suffers like us.” A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling


Up, Homes and Communities said: “We are grateful to Sir Martin for the important work of his Inquiry


8 | HMMJune/July 2024 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk


and will carefully consider his final report and recommendations. We will never forget the 72 lives lost at Grenfell and remain absolutely committed to securing justice for the bereaved, survivors and the wider community.” Tey added that of the 15 recommendations


recommended to Government in Phase 1 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, it had completed 11 and work was ongoing with the remaining four. It said it had also introduced the Building Safety Act, which had brought in “tough new building safety standards”. A police investigation has been under way for


nearly seven years alongside the two-part public inquiry. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy has said the Met has “one chance” to get the investigation right and they “owe that to those who lost their lives” in the fire. Te investigation has become increasingly


complex as the Metropolitan Police considers the web of 19 organisations and companies as well as 58 individuals involved in the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower. Officers have gathered more than 27,000 pieces


of evidence from the tower itself. Mr Cundy said he accepted it was “a long time” to wait for justice, but rushing the investigation and making mistakes would be “a worse case scenario”.


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