Terms of reference: Buildings Safety Sub-Group
Terms of reference of the Ystadau Cymru Buildings Safety Sub-Group.
Contents
Background
In October 2019 the Workforce Partnership Council (WPC) Joint Executive Committee wrote to the Welsh Government to request that asbestos management in all public buildings be considered as part of the work of Ystadau Cymru. It was highlighted that it is an important area of health and safety that needs to be more consistently managed at a strategic level.
The WPC is a three-way social partnership of trade unions, employers and the Welsh Government, it covers the devolved public services in Wales and is a forum for cross-public services workforce matters.
The Welsh Government has provided guidance in respect of Asbestos in schools with revised guidance recently published in August 2019 and, since December 2020, had been leading the Asbestos sub-group in considering and applying best practice more widely across the public sector estate.
Following the issues, concerns and impact on the operation of public sector buildings surrounding ‘new evidence’ (DfE, August 2023) towards the failure of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), the scope of the Ystadau Cymru Asbestos sub-group was reviewed.
The Review noted the positive work that had been taken forward by members of the Asbestos sub-group and a suggestion was made to widen the groups remit to include aspects of building safety. Subsequently, an Ystadau Cymru sub-group structure review paper was tabled at its Board meeting of 24 January 2024 supporting the transition from the Asbestos sub-group to that of the Building Safety sub-group.
Purpose
The role of the Building Safety sub-group will provide strategic direction and leadership in the identification, awareness sharing (via members of this sub-group to their representative networks) and management of significant building safety related matters which may give rise to similar risks (multiple injury and/or structural failure and/or collapse of buildings or their primary elements) as, and including, those risks posed by asbestos and RAAC.
The scope of the Ystadau Cymru Building Safety sub-group is limited to identified public sector buildings in Wales.
These terms of reference are effective from 1 October 2024 and will be ongoing until terminated by agreement between the parties.
Structure and membership of the Buildings Safety Sub-Group
| Name | Organisation | Representing |
|---|---|---|
| Neal O’ Leary | Welsh Government | Chair |
| Lorna Cross | Vale of Glamorgan Council | Vice Chair of Ystadau Cymru board; local government in Wales |
| Ian Tomkinson | Vale of Glamorgan Council | Local government in Wales |
| Craig Bramwell | Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council | Local government in Wales |
| Clare Phillips | Welsh Government | Head of Ystadau Cymru Secretariat |
| Lyn Cadwallader | One Voice Wales | Town and Community Councils in Wales |
| Arfon Davies | Llanelli Town Council | Town and Community Councils in Wales |
| Mike Davies | South Wales Fire and Rescue Service | Fire and rescue services in Wales |
| Alwyn Jones | Welsh Government | Education in Wales |
| Jo Larner | Welsh Government | Building Safety Act |
| Bethan Meredith | Neath Port Talbot Colleges Group | Further education in Wales |
| Steve Jones | Pembrokeshire College | Further education in Wales |
| Ceri Williams | TUC Wales | Workforce Partnership Council/ trade unions in Wales |
| Dan Shears | GMB union | Trade unions |
| Jonathan Jones | NHS Shared Services Partnership- Specialist Estate Services | National Health Service Wales |
| Sam Rees | Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors | Property management profession |
| Gordon Brown | Chartered Institute of Building | Construction management profession |
Roles and responsibilities
The Buildings Safety Sub-Group is responsible for:
- working with members of this sub-group and their own representative public and professional sector buildings/construction networks in delivering the functions set out under ‘Purpose’;
- assisting with the identification and management of property related challenges that employers and those with responsibility for the safe management of buildings face that could affect the ability to deliver services within their specific sector;
- promoting collaboration across the public, professional and industry sectors in Wales to engage stakeholders; and
- identifying, sharing and monitoring factors outside the sub-group’s control that are important to success.
Proposed objectives
- Undertake an audit / analysis of all public bodies’ asbestos management procedures.
- Promote and develop asbestos awareness training.
- Undertake an audit / analysis of all public bodies’ RAAC identification and management procedures.
- Create a portal for sharing best practice guidance across the Welsh public sector. Ensuring access to expertise to ensure compliance in regards to any identified significant building safety responsibilities.
Meetings
Meetings to be held quarterly. Special meetings may be organised in response to significant events.
Reporting lines
The Building Safety Sub-Group will report progress and developments to the Ystadau Cymru board on a quarterly basis.
In addition, it may report directly to the sponsoring Cabinet Secretary for Ystadau Cymru.
Periodically the Building sub-Group will report to the Workforce Partnership Council Joint Executive Committee.
Secretariat
The Building Safety Sub-Group will be serviced by the Ystadau Cymru Secretariat.