25 buildings to kick-off Scottish Government’s cladding assessment programme
Housing secretary Shona Robison has welcomed the start of work on the Scottish Government’s Single Building Assessment programme.
A total of 25 buildings deemed most at risk have been identified for the assessment scheme, delivered free to homeowners as part of a £97.1 million Scottish Government funding package.
Physical inspections are now underway to identify buildings that may need dangerous cladding removed or highlight other potential issues such as flammable insulation or missing fire barriers.
Ms Robison was speaking ahead of Thursday’s meeting with the Project Board for Cladding Remediation, a forum of key partners including housing developers, property factors and housing associations.
Ms Robison said: “On-site physical inspections are now underway as part of the initial phase of the Single Building Assessment scheme.
“We are fulfilling our commitment to support homeowners and improve building safety. Our priority is to ensure the safety of people in their own homes and offer reassurance to owners.
“We have identified 25 high priority buildings as part of an initial pilot scheme to test the newly developed Single Building Assessment, which brings a consistent and robust approach. It will provide clarity on buildings most at risk and enable us to prioritise remediation.”
A Single Building Assessment is undertaken on a whole building, rather than secured by an individual owner of a flat. It will be assessed against robust criteria to provide a route to public funding for remediation. While these assessments will not be compulsory, the Scottish Government will make it easy for affected people to access them when the programme starts.
Of the 25 buildings identified, one is in Aberdeen, eight are in Edinburgh and 16 are in Glasgow. To protect the privacy and confidentiality of owners, the buildings chosen as part of the scheme are not being identified.
The Single Building Assessment is available for all buildings, regardless of tenure, and this includes local authority and registered social landlord buildings. Remediation of local authority buildings is a matter for each individual council.
Nic Mayall, president of the Property Managers Association Scotland, said: “In considering the best interests of the homeowner clients of our members, we are pleased to be consulted by Scottish Government on the options for addressing the cladding issue.
“The complexity of the situation and the number of parties involved, including lenders, surveyors, building insurers and conveyancing solicitors, results in the need for a well-considered approach.”
The Scottish Government said it is committing every penny of the £97.1 million consequentials received so far towards this programme of work. Further funding announcements will be made when the programme is complete.
A spokesperson added: “We have not yet been given clarity about how much or when we will receive the further funding promised from the UK Government and we continue to urgently press for this. When we do receive this, we have committed to ensuring it goes towards this major programme of work.”