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Councils named as Hackitt early adopters
The government has invited a selection of local authorities to become ‘early adopters’ of recommendations proposed in the Hackitt Review of building safety.
Birmingham City Council – which owns more tower blocks than any other social landlord with over 200 – and Wandsworth Council have confirmed they will be joining the group.
Inside Housing understands that two other councils have been invited, but the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said it could not name them because of the upcoming general election.
The early adopters scheme is intended to ensure that the culture change surrounding high-rise building safety recommended by Dame Judith Hackitt in her government-commissioned review of fire safety and building regulations begins as soon as possible.
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Participating organisations – which include housing associations Salix Homes and L&Q, as well as builders Wilmott Dixon and Kier – are trialling aspects of the new regulatory framework proposed by Dame Judith before legislation is passed. Local authorities were not previously included.
Robert James, acting director for neighbourhoods at Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham has been invited to join the early adopters scheme and, as the largest local authority house builder, we are looking forward to playing an active role in the group and sharing our expertise of building high-quality, affordable housing.”
Brian Reilly, director of housing and regeneration at Wandsworth Council, said: “I am pleased to accept this invitation and committed to ensuring that key improvements around the management and maintenance of our council homes are effectively delivered by suitably skilled and experienced staff to ensure the ongoing safety of our residents.”
The early adopters group launched a building safety charter earlier this year, which consists of five principles outlining a commitment “to protecting life by putting safety first, ahead of all other building priorities”.
In its Queen’s Speech last month – before calling a general election – the Conservative government confirmed its intention to bring forward legislation implementing all 53 of Dame Judith’s recommendations as well as establishing a building safety regulator.
A spokesperson for MHCLG said: “Local authorities have been invited to join the early adopters scheme. Next steps will be confirmed in due course.”
More on the Hackitt Review
The Hackitt Review: key recommendations at-a-glance Inside Housing breaks down the key areas of the final report from Dame Judith Hackitt’s review of building regulations
Brokenshire: government will consult on banning combustible cladding The housing secretary announces a consultation despite the Hackitt Report findings
Dame Judith Hackitt: the interview Dame Judith Hackitt spoke to Inside Housing shortly after releasing her much-anticipated review of building regulations
Final Hackitt report calls for new regulatory body but does not ban combustibles Dame Judith Hackitt has called for a regulatory body to be set up to oversee the safety of buildings, but has stopped short of a prescriptive approach or the banning of dangerous cladding.
Grenfell survivors ‘saddened and disappointed’ by Hackitt report Reaction to Hackitt’s findings decision to ignore calls for a ban on combustible cladding
