Building Standards Futures Board minutes: April 2025
- Published
- 27 May 2025
- Directorate
- Local Government and Housing Directorate
- Date of meeting
- 29 April 2025
Minutes from the meeting of the Building Standards Futures Board on 29 April 2025.
Part of
Attendees and apologies
Ken Gourlay (KG) Chair, Chief Executive, Fife Council
James Whiteford (JW), Director, Building Standards Hub
Alan McAulay (AMc), Director, Building Standards Hub
John-Paul Breslin (JPB), LABSS
Zoe Black (ZB), RIAS
Nigel Kerr (NK), Fife Council
Colin Proctor (CP), Scottish Futures Trust (SFT)
Robert Toomey (RT), RICS
Steve Fawcett (SF), Homes for Scotland
Neil Mitchell (NM), Scottish Government
Stephen Garvin (SGa), Scottish Government
Colette Templeton (CT), Scottish Government
Fiona Sinclair (FS), Scottish Government
Cameron Murdoch (CM), Scottish Government
Ken Craig (KC), Scottish Government
Frank Doherty (FD), Scottish Government
Cheryl Dewar (CD), Scottish Government
Andrew Gayler (AG), Scottish Government
Steven Scott (SS), Scottish Government
Apologies
Gordon Nelson (GN), FMB
Ron Fraser (RF), Construction Scotland
Robert Storey (RS), SER
Robert Nicol (RN), COSLA
Jocelyne Fleming (JF), CIOB
Mark Lawler (ML), SER, Certification Scheme Providers
Fiona MacDonald (FMac), BE-ST
Items and actions
Welcome
The Chair welcomed everyone to the first meeting of 2025 and noted apologies.
The Board were reminded that the work of the Futures Board (FB) is carried out in response to the Grenfell Tower Fire in June 2017. The Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 Report was published on 4 September 2024 with 58 recommendations. Today’s meeting will provide an update on the Scottish Government’s (SG) Grenfell Response Report, published on 25 March 2025.
Updates will be provided by BSD on the Compliance Plan Approach and Verification Delivery Model workstreams, alongside an update from the Scottish Building Standards Hub (SBSH) Directors on current progress and future Hub work.
Meeting Business
Note of meeting 20 – 04 December 2024
The note of the previous meeting was approved by the Board.
Action Points – Paper 103 (29/04/2025)
The actions from the previous meeting have been completed and closed.
Collaborative Working
Construction Quality Improvement Collaborative (CQIC)
CP provided an update to the Board.
Work to promote CIQC events continues. An annual event for the ‘Getting It Right Initiative’ is taking place in Glasgow on 25 June 2025, with possible Ministerial attendance. The event will focus on post Grenfell reflections and building safety quality. CP reported on the focus over the last 12 months on construction quality, compliance outcomes and benefits, and how these support the work of the Board. There is a big drive on safety in England. While the work of SFT goes wider than this, it is a main priority.
Construction Leadership Forum (CLF)
SGa provided an update.
Background on the CLF was provided and the Board were reminded that the Forum has been active for a number of years considering construction matters. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 1 May 2025.
An Action Plan is being taken forward by the Transformation Board and work relating to skills in construction is being managed by a Working Group.
Work undertaken by the CLF is all relevant to the FB Programme as the greater the skills of industry workers the higher chance of having the correct level of compliance.
Building Standards
SGa provided an update on the work and reviews being undertaken by BSD.
Building Standards has responsibility for the coordination of RAAC working with a cross-sector working group (WG). The Group sought to understand the position on the use of RAAC in Scotland and the types of buildings across the public sector. It is estimated that around 3000 homes in Scotland are affected by RAAC, mainly in roof space or common areas. This is an ongoing issue being considered by SG and ministers.
To support collaborative working, a Building Safety Forum will be set up to consider building safety issues, excluding cladding remediation. The terms of reference and membership for this forum are currently being drafted.
Action: Members to let SGa know if they are interested in joining the Building Safety Forum.
RT advised in 2024 RICS worked on the creation of a RAAC consumer guide to support consideration of the issue. IStructE are feeding into the guide, hope this will be published in early May.
IStructE are in the early stages of developing guidance for identifying and remediating RAAC in housing, this is being led by their Scottish members.
RICS are also in the process of developing a damp and mold consumer guide, with the aim of publishing this in June 2025.
An update was provided on work being undertaken to review and update technical guidance. A consultation on Flood Resilience will go live in May 2025. The consultation isn’t proposing a change to the standard but looking to update guidance to section 3.3 of the Technical Handbooks.
An update on the fire safety review and Cameron House Hotel was provided. A report on the responses to consultation would be published soon and it was expected that a further meeting of the working group would be held. SGa advised that local authorities need to notify BSD, under the requirements of the Section 34 letter – Notification of Application for Building Warrant Section 2 – Fire, where an older property is being converted into a hotel.
Work on the Passivhaus Energy Standards continues. Regulations were laid in December 2024. A second stage consultation will follow later this year. By 2026, updated standards and guidance will be provided to support implementation by 2028, to allow industry time to prepare.
Licensing of Contractors Scheme
In GN’s absence, CT provided an update on the work of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
FMB are launching the “License to Build” campaign on 7 May 2025. Webpages will be created on the FMB and HomeOwners Alliance websites. The licensing regime has been publicly supported by RIBA and MHCLG/Defra Property Flood Resistance Taskforce Chair, Peter Bonfield, recognises the vital role licensing will play in professionalising the workforce.
Pye Tait undertook research on what a licensing model could look like. There is a formal launch on 20 May 2025 at an FMB reception at the House of Lords. On this day, Mark Garnier MP will participate on an FMB podcast on licensing.
Grenfell Phase 2 Report – Scottish Government’s Response
SGa provided an update to the Board.
The Grenfell Inquiry Stage 2 Report was published on 4 September 2024. SG committed to providing a response to this within a 6 month time scale, as did the UK Government. SG published their Grenfell Phase 2 Report Response on 25 March 2025.
The work of the Futures Board since 2019 has supported change to strengthen building standards and fire safety standards are now much higher than in 2017. SG have committed to change in a number of areas which have touch points with the work of the Board. Some of these will realistically not be delivered until after the Board’s scheduled end date of May 2026.
BSD will undertake a review of Section 2 of the technical handbooks. Consideration will be given to a scheme for the licensing of contractors and BSD will look to work with UKG on this. Research will be commissioned later this year to review the pre-emptive nature of the BS system, to ensure it’s working as it should and identifying the need for change.
Colleagues in SG Construction Procurement Team are taking forward recommendations on the new role of Chief Construction Advisor. This will involve a high level options appraisal.
A fire safety awareness campaign will be run again by the Fire and Rescue team targeted at all high rise buildings. Work on PEEPs is also being developed alongside the introduction of mandatory fire risk assessments.
SGa thanked everyone who attended the Futures Board Stakeholder Grenfell Event that took place in January 2025.
NM presented paper 104 to the Board, highlighting the commitments that are supported through the work of the FB programme.
Work continues to focus on measures that support compliance and the delivery of compliant buildings. Strengthening delivery of the service, building warrant fees have been increasing to provide the additional resources required by local authority verifiers to increase their compliance work. Increasing fees allowed for the development and funding of the Scottish Building Standards Hub (SBSH). The Hub supports verifiers as well as industry.
BSD have committed to review certification with work to support a fundamental review underway.
The pre-emptive building standards system in Scotland has been recognised as a strength however still not complacent in this area. BSD have committed to undertake research to look at the pros and cons of this and where improvements can be made.
Work on enforcement and sanctions continues with proposals for higher fines and sanctions in place. This will include custodial sentences from offenders and stop work suspension notices. These changes need to be actioned with a change in primary legislation. Formal enforcement training is currently underway via the SBSH.
The Operating and Performance Frameworks have been reviewed and republished to support the appointment of building standards verifiers.
A question was raised seeking clarification on the committed work mentioned, will this be undertaken through FB workstreams as at the current structure, or will new workstreams be implemented? NM advised that the lifespan of the FB is currently to May 2026. It is anticipated that there will be work required beyond this date but this will be clearly signposted.
The Chair advised that future meetings of the Board should provide an update on progress being made across the different touch points.
Compliance Plan Workstream
Delivery Plan Paper 105 (29/04/2025)
FD presented to the Board, proving an update on the work of the Compliance Plan to date, and an overview of future plans.
Research is taking place on the following areas:
- High risk buildings – annual number estimate.
- Relationship between Compliance Plan Manager (CPM) and the Client.
- Adequacy of building warrant fees for low-rise volume housebuilding – existing verifier compliance checking activity vs expected activity.
The workstream has planned research for December 2025 to look at developing compliance plan guidance for verifiers.
An update on Early Adopters scheme was provided. Phase 1 of the scheme identified and established 4 local authority projects that are currently underway, with some project support provided by SFT. Engagement with these projects will continue throughout the EA phases. Future Phases will follow the implementation of verifier guidance and the compliance plan approach guidance for voluntary adoption by the industry.
Timelines for upcoming work planned within the workstream were shared with the Board highlighting review of guidance and planned legislative changes. It was added that the outcomes of the Grenfell phase 2 report has accelerated delivery requirements. Detailed planning of work to be undertaken will be completed by the end of April and managed by using MS Planner.
The Chair asked how achievable the timescales provided are and if the Board can do anything to assist? It was recognised that timelines are ambitious, however are doable as development work is completed. Useful for the Board to spread the word to stakeholders to adopt these ways of working asap as they will be mandated soon.
Scottish Building Standards Hub
Update and future look
JW reported that the Hub had been formally established now for nearly 1 year. An update on future work to strengthen the building standards system will be provided. Work to support transformation and learning and development continues to be supported by the Hub.
The Hub will support the introduction of a national time recording system which has been agreed with LABSS and BSD. Work will be undertaken on the development of tools to support the introduction of compliance plans with a budget identified to hold and record compliance plans and their outcomes.
The development of a building standards system user app is underway, where all guidance will be stored for users to easily access. This will support future development activity and provide enhanced self service capability for LAs. The first working group for app development has taken place.
SGa raised when the app would be available and if this will be free to access? JW advised that Spring 2026 is the target date and the app will be free for all building standards users.
JW reported that the Hub is supporting verifier learning and development through the development of online training materials with the skills builder platform. This is currently undergoing user acceptance testing. The new learning experience platform will be implemented in summer 2025 and replace the current system. This will assist with identifying skills gaps, especially in national learning. A number of one day training events are due to take place. An event on air tightness was successfully delivered and will be rolled out throughout areas of Scotland to make attendance easier for LAs. Provision of accredited fire engineering courses is being assessed by the Hub.
Work is being undertaken with providers on the continued support of the Modern Apprenticeship Scheme and JW advised that the Hub had received confirmation that the HNC course for MAs will go ahead in 2025. SGa advised that SG ministers have been making funding available to LAs who commit to training MAs.
A continued focus on the investment in future leaders is a priority within L&D work. A programme is being looked at that will support verifiers in their development to more senior roles.
The Board felt it was a positive step enforcement training has been delivered with a large uptake. It was discussed that there could be a role for the FB to raise awareness of the issues found at these sessions, in order to help with reinforcement of the sanctions that exist.
Action: NK and SGa to discuss high level principles of enforcement.
AMc provided an update on technical services and operations delivered by the Hub.
SG referenced the need to establish a Fire Engineering Hub. The work to do this has been completed by the SBSH and the Fire Expert Engineering Working Group. It has been agreed this work should be taken forward by two key areas:
- Fire Hub Collaborative Forum – the terms of reference is currently being created.
- Operational Partnership support for complex fire engineering. This will be facilitated between the LA and appropriate stakeholder who can help.
The SBSH are also looking at setting up a Structure Hub Collaborative Forum.
Stakeholder engagement and work on domestic and non-domestic sites continue.
It was advised that customer journeys for those engaging with the work of the Hub has been successful. Future work includes looking to enhance STAS and dispute resolution processes, while supporting SG work on the Grenfell Phase 2 report and reviewal of Section 2 of the Technical Handbooks.
The Chair thanked the Directors for their updates and added that it’s great to see the Hub fully embedded with a lot of good activity ongoing.
RT raised whether the Fire Engineering Hub ties into the development of single building assessment around competency requirements? AMc advised this is not directly tied as the Hub is here to support verifiers and assessment of Building Warrant applications. However, the Hub are looking at what can be done to support work within the area of cladding and remediation.
Delivery Model Workstream
Future look - update Paper 106 (29/04/2025)
CM provided an update.
Year 2 of the 3-year building warrant fees model came into force on 1 April 2025. Year 2 of the model, (2025-26) is designed to deliver an increase of approximately, £8m (23%) nationally in building warrant fee income based on modelled fee income from 2017 - 2022. This will result in additional funds for LAs to use towards resourcing while providing funding for the SBSH. Impact assessments undertaken for year 2 can be found online.
A new eBuilding standards calculator has been implemented, providing greater inhouse control over updates and change as well as ease of use for users.
An online engagement session on building warrant fee increases took place on 25 February 2025. Positive feedback was received, and a number of good questions were raised.
An update was provided on year 3 fees, informing the Board that this is currently designed to deliver an additional 12 million nationally against modelling in 2017. BSD are currently undertaking work to look at year 3 fee levels and the Board were reminded that the planned increase in fees is subject to monitoring and reporting and agreement from Ministers.
SG have committed to additional monitoring and reporting of verifiers. BSD undertake this on a monthly basis seeking information from verifiers on inspection numbers and compliance activity. In July 2024 BSD undertook a reporting exercise to look at how verifiers are planning to reinvest the additional fees into the system. The exercise was successful at highlighting where verifiers had adequately planned however some were unable to do so, therefore barriers and financial challenges were highlighted. It is imperative to note that the Minister has highlighted the importance of verifiers having adequate resources. A progress update on these returns will be sought in the near future and the exercise will be carried out again in summer 2025.
It was noted that BSD are aware it will take time for changes within the system to be noticeable, however it is important that progress is made in putting in place meaningful reporting, and sight of verifier plans is required.
Planned research being undertaken by the Delivery Model workstream was discussed.
Research to:
- review and consider the impact of building warrant fees is currently out to tender and will be completed by August 2025.
- confirm and propose year 3 fee levels is in the early stages of finalising a specification document.
- review KPO 5 and look at its suitability or if this should be amended to reflect the reinvestment into the service.
The Board were reminded that funding for the SBSH has been agreed for 2024 and 2025. Work to consider future funding levels is being undertaken.
Futures Board Risk Reporting
Risk Register Paper 107 (29/04/2025)
CT presented the FB risk register highlighting each risk and providing progress updates on each.
The Board accepted the current position of the risk register.
AOCB
Date of meetings 2025
12 August 2025
3 December 2025
Dates will be reviewed to ensure enough members can attend.
The Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting.