Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC): Housing Stakeholder Minutes - 20 February 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Scottish Government (Chair)
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)

• Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)

• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

• Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO)

• Aberdeen City Council

• Almond Housing Association

• Bield Housing and Care

• Bridgewater Housing Association

• City of Edinburgh Council

• Clackmannanshire Council

• Link Housing Association

• Linstone Housing Association

• Mott MacDonald

• North Lanarkshire Council

• River Clyde Homes

• South Lanarkshire Council

• West Lothian Council

Items and actions

Welcome and Introduction and actions of the previous meeting

The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting, including those joining for the first time.

In response to a question of clarity about the remit of the group and whether this extended to RAAC issues specific to private homeowners (of relevance to a number of landlords present) the chair confirmed that this was the case. The group reflected on the various issues involved specific to homeowners, the responsibilities of Councils (as far as these extended statutorily) and the varying approaches being taken across Local Authorities determined by individual circumstances. The issue of clarity around the possibility of central government support was also raised.

 

Minute and actions from the previous meeting

Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed without change.

Attendees were thanked for information provided in respect of actions from the previous meeting, notably RSL details about numbers of social and private homes affected by RAAC (where known) and technical reports intended to support the preparation of IStructE guidance.  

Contributions to date in respect of the above were welcomed with the importance of the technical information, specifically in the development of IStructE guidance, emphasised.

Attendees also noted that the SHR data collection exercise was fully complete with the exception of one RSL expected to report by the end of March.

Action: Scottish Government to follow up by email reiterating value of this information and requesting contributions from those yet to respond. 

 

Guidance for homeowners/tenants

RICS provided an update on the preparation of a RAAC consumer guide noting this was likely to be in March. This would supplement existing RICS FAQs and advice.    

Action: RICS to confirm liaison with IStructE regarding the development of the consumer guide.

Action: IStructE to confirm guidance timeframe and review RICS guide in due course.  

 

Options for a technical session

The group agreed that a focussed technical session with engineers/surveyors with experience of RAAC assessment would be of value.

Action: Scottish Government to follow up with group members by email.

 

Updates from landlords by exception/engagement and communication

These two items were taken together.

Aberdeen City Council provided an update on the Council’s ongoing engagement with private homeowners in respect of the voluntary acquisition process. It was noted that the valuation exercise was being undertaken by an external contractor to remove the Council from direct involvement. In recognising the difficulties of the situation for affected homeowners, the Council had also arranged for access to mental health support, if required. Campaign groups at both local and national level had been engaged with. The need for clarity at a national level on the issue of support and any potential funding was again noted.

North Lanarkshire Council noted the Council’s strategic decision, following a comprehensive options appraisal process, to remove all RAAC (either through demolition or replacement) from Council owned and mixed tenure blocks. This would involve a phased decant of residents. The Council had also established a grant fund providing 100% support for private owners in mixed tenure blocks.

West Lothian Council noted a programme of work was underway assessing costs in respect of remediation work (remove and replace). Some engagement had taken place with local campaign groups.

  

Any other business

The meeting noted that the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee was due to meet next week (25 February).