A new board has been formed to improve the progress of removing unsafe cladding across London
Co-chaired by the Deputy Mayor of London for Housing, Tom Copley, and Minister for Building Safety and Fire, Alex Norris, the newly established Joint Remediation Partnership Board (JRPB) brings together leaders from the London Fire Brigade, London Councils, the Building Safety Regulator, the Regulator for Social Housing, Homes England, and MHCLG.
The inaugural meeting took place on 6 May, with discussions focusing on establishing a plan to accelerate the removal of unsafe cladding on residential buildings over 11 metres in London, including those that fall under various remediation programmes. The board will aim to bring together the various powers, resources, and influence from across agencies to accelerate remediation.
In a statement released by the Mayor of London’s office, the scale of the work needed to improve building safety in the capital was outlined, with 1,513 buildings in government remediation programmes where work has yet to begin.
The statement went on to explain that “the challenge of remediation in London means that a successful plan to accelerate it cannot be led by City Hall alone, but requires a new, formal partnership approach bringing together national, regional, and local level partners who will deliver change by coordinating and prioritising the use of powers and resources in London to achieve the Government's targets for removing dangerous cladding.
“The strategy set by the Board will support the Government’s ambition to ensure that by the end of 2029, all residential buildings over 11m with unsafe cladding nationwide will either have been remediated, have a date for completion, or landlords will be liable for severe penalties for failing to make their buildings safe.”
Speaking after the JRPB’s first meeting, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “This is a significant step forward in speeding up the removal of dangerous cladding in London, which had been far too slow under the previous Government.
“Everyone deserves the right to live in a safe home – a right denied to the residents of Grenfell Tower. I will not stop until we can say with confidence that the failings which led to this disaster will never be repeated. I will continue to work hand-in-hand with the Government, London Councils, the London Fire Brigade and the sector to take swift action to remove dangerous cladding on buildings as we continue to build a safer London for everyone.”
This was echoed by Charlie Pugsley, Deputy Commissioner – Director of Prevention, Protection, and Operational Policy at the London Fire Brigade, who said: "The creation of the Joint Remediation Partnership Board, and continued support from the Mayor of London, will be key in helping to address the ongoing challenges being faced across London's built environment.
“We support this action being taken to drive forward the remediation required across London's high and medium rise residential properties. It is unacceptable that leaseholders and residents continue to face such uncertainty and stress, and in many cases, a significant financial burden, due to these buildings with dangerous cladding still not being remediated.
“Those responsible for residential buildings have a legal obligation and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to identify and address the risks to keep Londoners safe."
Representing central government on the JRPB, Building and Fire Safety Minister, Alex Norris, explained that “the pace of remediation has been far too slow and nearly eight years on from the Grenfell Fire tragedy far too many people are living in buildings with unsafe cladding.
“This problem is particularly acute in London, which is why I'm pleased to be working with the Deputy Mayor for London and the Greater London Authority to accelerate the pace of remediation work in London, and ensure residents feel safe and secure in their homes.
“Alongside the London Fire Brigade, London Councils and regulators, we are bringing renewed vigour to tackling long-overdue issues with unsafe cladding in the capital.”