The Construction Products Association has formally responded to Secretary of State Michael Gove regarding the building safety and cladding remediations.
- Secretary of State addresses CPA in open letter, thanking the CPA and its members for support of agreeing that leaseholders should not face bills for remediation costs
- The Minister highlighted that he is unhappy of ‘lack of movement’ on agreements
- CPA Chief Executive expresses disappointment that no agreement has yet been reached and is open to providing further assistance where required
- The CPA outline where measures need to be put in place so that there is clear, working actions to meet a desirable outcome
On 13 April 2022, the Minister for DLUHC wrote a letter addressed to CPA Chief Executive Peter Caplehorn bring to a close current talks around the remediation of building safety and cladding. In the letter, the Minster acknowledges the work undertaken by CPA and its members and the reasons as to why the remediation works is a lot more challenging than his original letter outlined.
After several months of discussions between DLUHC and members of the construction products and housebuilders sectors Mr Caplehorn expressed his professional disappointment that an agreement has not been reached. In the letter sent today to the Minister, he has highlighted where further clarity is required from the Government over lack of details for the work required. Additionally, Mr Caplehorn has stated that many Construction Product Association members have voluntarily agreed to pay for any costs because of defects from their own funds as part of the House Builder’s Remediation programme.
Mr Caplehorn said:
“Our members do understand the urgency of finding a solution and have been working hard with us to try to find a suitable formula. We should stress however that many are troubled by the lack of detail in terms of scope and definitions for the work and the lack of support from valuers, insurers, and the mortgage sectors.”
Additionally, the CPA has politely asked the Government to refer to the recommendations from the Select Committee report, most notably these three points:
1. To establish a clearer understanding at the building level to avert further confusion and delay for leaseholders
2. Involve other sectors of the industry in the discussion because in the design, procurement, construction, and maintenance of any building there will have been a complex set of interactions leading to the final built asset.
3. The CPA have long advocated (prior to these specific discussions with DLUHC) that a wider remit of works must be considered – beyond simply cladding and insulation – to ensure that every one of the buildings in question is made fully safe for leaseholders. If this entire discussion around funding is to gain the support it requires, then both the Government and industry must be doing all they can to ensure that all building safety defects are addressed in any remediation programme.
The CPA also feel it is wrong for the Minister to characterise the position of those highlighted in his letter as making “excuses” and “not taking action”, as our members and other manufactures have been proactive in their approach to come to an amicable solution with this situation.
Finally, the CPA and the stakeholders involved are keen to learn on the proposals that Government would like to put forward as we await their response. In the meantime, we will carry on working on the reform and cultural change in the industry to benefit the homes of the future in a safer environment.