April 2020
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference will examine building regulations in England - focusing on implementing the new framework, assessing effectiveness and priorities for improving safety.
It will be an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to discuss:
- implementing the new regulatory system;
- improving industry competence;
- priorities for resident safety; and
- options for regulation and legislation.
The conference takes place in the context of:
- plans to introduce a new Building Safety Regulator - backed by strong sanctions for non-compliance - and with the Building Safety Bill expected in this parliamentary session;
- government consulting on implementing recommendations in its response to Phase 1 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry through the Fire Safety Bill expected this summer; and
- phase 2 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, with hearings having recently resumed.
Speakers and chairs
There will be keynote contributions from:
- Peter Baker, Director, Building Safety Programme Response, Health & Safety Executive;
- Professor Susan Bright, Law Faculty, University of Oxford;
- Peter Caplehorn, Deputy Chief Executive, Construction Products Association and Deputy Chair, IRG Competence Steering Group;
- Dr Graham Spinardi, Fire Safety Engineering, University of Edinburgh; and
- Martin Taylor, Director, Regulatory Policy, Local Authority Building Control.
Further speakers include: Andrew Carpenter, Structural Timber Association and Construction Excellence South West; Adrian Dobson, Royal Institute of British Architects; Laura Hughes, Association of British Insurers and Mark Snelling, Association of Residential Management Agents.
Rt Hon the Lord Stunell, Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson for Construction and Rt Hon the Lord Whitty have kindly agreed to chair this seminar.
The agenda
- Building regulations: the evolving landscape and priorities going forward;
- Assessing the effectiveness of the new regulatory framework:
- Local authorities and building regulations - planning, working with partners, and priorities for enforcement;
- Improving industry competence and the culture around compliance;
- Ensuring safety in high-rise residential buildings - design, retrofit, and risk assessment;
- Learning from the regulation of high-risk industries;
- Improving fire safety, making sure residents feel safe in their homes, and effectively engaging communities; and
- Engaging with residents in building safety measures.
- Next steps for cladding removal, non-domestic buildings and ensuring safety;
- Addressing the challenges for implementing changes to the regulatory system; and
- Next steps for policy.
Engagement with policy officials at this conference
This Westminster Social Policy Forum conference has attracted strong interest from policymakers. It will be an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with officials who have reserved places representing: MHCLG; BEIS; HSE; the Cabinet office; Committee on Climate Change; Defra; Department for International Trade; Department for Transport; NAO; The Office for Low Emission Vehicles and the Welsh Government.
