One of Caerdydd Penarth’s newly elected Member of the Senedd, Kiera Marshall, used her first question in the chamber to press the First Minister on support for tenants affected by unsafe cladding, years after the Grenfell Tower disaster exposed nationwide building safety failings.
The Welsh Cladiators, a campaign group representing affected leaseholders, have spent years calling for legal protection and urgent remediation of buildings with dangerous defects.
Ms Marshall, who represents Plaid Cymru, said: “The Welsh Cladiators have been championing the campaign to fix unsafe cladding and dangerous buildings in Wales for years.
“It’s been inspiring to hear from them during my first weeks as a Member of the Senedd and about the work they have already done.
“Residents have been waiting far too long for change and the protection they deserve.”
So far, only six of the 160 privately owned buildings identified in Wales as having unsafe cladding have been fully remediated.
These include blocks in the Victoria Wharf area of Cardiff.
The previous government introduced legislation to place responsibility on property owners to address these safety issues, but it took four years longer than similar protections introduced in England.
First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth responded by reaffirming the Government’s commitment to enforcing its developer contract.
He said: “As we approach the ninth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower tragedy this Sunday, I can confirm that this Government will take all appropriate actions to ensure that signatories to the Welsh Government’s developer contract deliver on their commitments under the agreement.”
Last week, the new Plaid Cymru government launched a consultation on the implementation of the Building Safety Act in Wales, with proposals to protect leaseholders from high costs and allow the residential property tribunal to issue remediation and contribution orders.
Peter Larwood of the Welsh Cladiators said: “Fire safety remedial works are not just about buildings, it’s about those who live in them too, and the terrible impact on their lives, future, family and wellbeing, let alone financial.
“It has been devastating for some, and created the inability to move forward with your life.”
