Building and Fire Safety: Cameron House Hotel short life working group minutes - April 2023

Attendees and apologies

Scottish Government officials

• Stephen Garvin, Deputy Director, Building Standards Division (SLWG Co-Chair) – chair for this meeting
• Lisel Porch, Safer Communities Division
• Chris Booth, Safer Communities Division
• James Clark, Safer Communities Division
• Terri O’Donnell, Building Standards Division
• Benny Rooney, Building Standards Division
• Steven Scott, Building Standards Division
• Callum Grigor, Sponsorship and Historic Environment Division

• Tom Hardy, Safer Communities Division

External members

• Elizabeth McCrone, Historic Environment Scotland 
• Clare Winskill, Scottish Tourism Alliance
• Steven Bosworth, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS)
• Alan McAulay, Local Authority Building Standards Scotland (LABSS)
• Leon Thompson, UK Hospitality, Scotland
• Steven McCallum, National Trust for Scotland
• Marc Crothall, Scottish Tourism Alliance
• David Weston, The Scottish Bed and Breakfast Association
• Margo Paterson, Hostelling Scotland
• Fiona Campbell, The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (attended part of the meeting)
• Peter Drummond, Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)

Apologies

• Maureen Rooney, Deputy Director, Safer Communities Division (SLWG Co-Chair)
• Colin Hird, Building Standards Division
• Sam North, National Trust for Scotland
• Helen Stephenson, Sponsorship and Historic Environment Division

Items and actions

Welcome and introductions

The chair invited any new members or officials to introduce themselves. 

Note of the last meeting and matters arising (paper 03-02)

A correction of UK Hospitality Scotland from Hospitality UK was noted. Officials went through the actions. Conflicts of interest, anymore should be sent in for recording as required. SLWG report plan will be discussed again at this meeting. 

Terms of reference for the SLWG

Additional changes have been made to the terms of reference (ToR) and have been issued to members for review. Officials highlighted that a web page will be set up for this meeting. The ToR will be publicly available on this website.    

The membership list was checked and agreed by all. Comments were requested within one week on the website draft material. The register of interests paper was highlighted. 

Actions

• officials will issue the webpage for all to comment on by close of play on 2 May 2023

• officials to issue register of interest paper. If anyone has anything else please send to officials

Recap on recommendations 1 – 3

Members discussed the recommendations 1–3 paper which was addressed at the previous meeting. The next step is for industry bodies to discuss with their membership. Any feedback gained will be highlighted at the next CHH SLWG meeting. 

Industry also noted that they will be keen to disseminate any guidance to members and help them understand their obligations. Memberships doesn’t cover the full sector.

It was also noted that this group can help bridge the gap between fire advice and the enforcement. 

An offer was made to industry by the BS Hub to discuss the building standards system and any general issues with the BS system. 

Action

• the BS Hub will issue their contact details for all to get in touch with any general issues with the building standards system, now or in the future

FAI report recommendation 6 (paper 03-03)

The Group was invited to discuss the report paper on recommendation 6. Information from the report provided was set out in detail by officials. These recommendations have already been implemented by SFRS. Points discussed were as follows:

• FRA Reports and actions and when and should these be followed up on. It was stated that the action plan will be followed up on a regular basis with the timing being dependent on what is being asked for; generally a one to two month basis
• an indication of follow up timescales could be highlighted on the tear off sheet, but this has various factors and individual responses are needed. If there is anything serious it will be highlighted to get this completed within 14 days
• the duty holder handover sheet is relatively new, but it was in process since last year
• it is a paper based system but will change to an electronic system in the future
• officials will send copies of this through for the final report of the SLWG and also for information for all members of the group
• the handover sheet and formal letter were discussed in detail. The first letter would normally highlight the issues and actions required at the time
• the benefits were discussed of having the recommendations given in detail to the duty holder by the fire officer. It is a positive experience and beneficial. Other members also highlighted the benefit of the audit
• members will seek feedback from their member groups on this

Actions

• SFRS to provide a note of the number of audits in hospitality and hotel premises since implementation on 6 March 2023
• copies of documents on audits to be provided to all members
• feedback to be provided at the next meeting from officials on how the audits and letters are being perceived by external members

SLWG report (discussion)

A recap was given on the overall process given of the SLWG noting that this is meeting 3 of 5. Wider discussion took place on the following:

• how we report into the Building and Fire Safety Ministerial Working Group
• the plan and structure of the final report of the SLWG

It is unlikely that there will be a draft available for the May meeting, however there will be a draft available before the June meeting. 

Actions and next steps

Actions noted above were highlighted to all.

Any other business

No items raised.

Date of next meeting(s)

23 May 11.00–12.30

27 June 10.30–11.00