Cladding Meeting

Welsh Labour Minister, Julie James' pact with developers to fix buildings affected by Building Fire Safety concerns has been branded “not worth the paper it is written on” by local campaigners.

The verdict came after residents from across Swansea impacted by the cladding scandal met with Welsh Cladding Campaign Group the Welsh Cladiators, and local Welsh Liberal Democrat Councillors. 

Swansea Lib Dem Councillor Sam Bennett, who represents the Marina and SA1, which contains most of the Swansea homeowners affected by fire safety concerns, together with Sketty Councillor, James McGettrick, heard about the stress and financial hardship this crisis is causing. The meeting then agreed on an action plan to get the Welsh Labour Government to follow England and ensure peoples homes are safe.

Commenting, Sam Bennett said: “This pact with builders, and the offer to pay for surveys is not worth the paper it is written on. Welsh Government have received £350million to deal with remedial work on buildings affected by cladding and must pay up!”

“Welsh Ministers' cosy pact with developers has no legal force and the surveys are not extensive enough. They will not solve the problem. As the cost-of-living crisis bites, years of inaction by Welsh Labour Minister and local MS Julie James is hitting lease holders hard. Residents find themselves paying huge maintenance and insurance charges and are unable to sell or re-mortgage.”

Swansea West Welsh Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson Michael O’Carroll added: “While Labour MPs have been rightly agitating from the side-lines for action on cladding in England, their own party in the Senedd has monumentally failed Welsh homeowners whose homes are affected by cladding problems.”

“Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds MS has been clear from day one, the Welsh Government should organise paying for remedial works, and then ensure they get the money back from builders. It is quick, it is simple, and it will relieve so much stress for homeowners.”