Forum Topic

Petition for a full and  independent enquiry into cladding

I still find it difficult to believe that the HoC agreed that leaseholders were responsible for the expense of removing the cladding in tower blocks.  For me, it is incomprehensible.If you think this is unfair, would you consider signing the petition below, please:https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/587185The petition started on 1 June 2021 and does not have many signatures so far, some 180 perhaps.  But I think it is a worthy cause.Thank you

Ivonne Holliday ● 1693d10 Comments

Sunday Timeshttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/footing-the-bill-for-the-cladding-crisis-will-cost-more-than-my-flat-xhbljdzkx

Philippa Bond ● 1687d

I was told that working to the Scottish Building Regs was much easier because they were clearer.  Several changes have been made to the ones here now.  What is worrying is that there are such an enormous number of buildings with problems and that cladding was just one of problems identified - no help for anything else - if that.

Philippa Bond ● 1690d

I thought it was interesting to read that Ireland is having some problems with building defects at the moment apparently caused by the relaxation of regulations.https://www.thejournal.ie/mica-explainer-5467214-Jun2021

Philippa Bond ● 1690d

Ivonne,If you look at the time it takes to get an inquiry up and running never mind completed or published it is likely to be well after the next election.

Ed Robinson ● 1692d

Thank you Philippa.  I will read the link you sent later on.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1692d

I am not too sure  it will make the government less accountable but they will have to sit up and pay attention if they wish to win further elections...

Ivonne Holliday ● 1692d

Thank you for signing Michael.  I do not believe the government's enquiry will shed any light on this.But I am incensed at the idea that the leaseholders should foot the bill.  It is beyond outrageous!As you say, there is a raft of reasons but, poor government building regulations?  I am inclined to think that a blind eye has given to the government building regulations.  And so the story continues.....

Ivonne Holliday ● 1692d

We don't actually know how many buildings there are with all these safety problems.  There are thousands of people suffering as a result.Here's a Freedom of Information request to the Ministry and the reply.  I bet they now wish they'd taken more notice of previous fires and Coroners Reports on those.https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/list_of_building_with_unsafe_cla#incoming-1546148

Philippa Bond ● 1692d

The cause may be worth but how will an inquiry help?It will probably make the government less accountable - as they will use the excuse of not wanting to prejudge the inquiry.....

Ed Robinson ● 1692d

I've signed it although I doubt it will do much good given that many of those responsible may be donors to the current party in power? There needs to be radical reform if leasehold law to balance the power between freeholders and leaseholders - although it has to be remembered that many may be leaseholders and own a share of the freehold company oiwning the block they live in. Of course if all leaseholders got together and refused to pay the excessive charges I wonder what the result would be? In the same way that there aren't sufficient surveyors to carry our work on certifying buildings without cladding (so I'm told) I doubt there'd be enough lawyers - or courts - with the necessary expertise to take on the resulting legal actions?To be honest there's a raft of reasons - poor government building regulations and enforcement, privatisation of some planning processes, dubious planning decisions, fly by night building contractors, greedy freeholders, incompetent management companies, ...

Michael Ixer ● 1692d