Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC): Cross Sector Working Group minutes – May 2024

Attendees and apologies

Internal stakeholders 

• Building Standards Division (Chair)
• Health and Social Care 
• Housing Standards Unit
• Justice
• Learning
• Lifelong Learning and Skills 
• Local Government and Housing 

External stakeholders

• Police Scotland 
• Scottish Housing Regulator 
• Scottish Futures Trust
• Scottish Courts 
• NHS Scotland Assure 
• Historic Environment Scotland 
• Health and Safety Executive 
• Built Environment Forum Scotland 
• Scottish Funding Council 
• Loughborough University 
• Manufacturing Technology Centre
• Aberdeen City Council 
• Falkirk Council
• Fife Council
• Scottish Heads of Property Services 
• UK Finance 

Items and actions

Note of last meeting (7 March) and actions

Update on previous actions 

Action point 11.1

An update in respect of the one action from the previous meeting would be provided under item 3.

Scottish Government update 

The update from the Scottish Government noted that:

• discovery phase was well advanced though some areas still had survey work to undertake
• as the discovery phase concluded the focus has now moved to understand longer-term RAAC management plans
• social housing, particularly where mixed tenure properties were concerned, continued to be the focus of wider interest 
• the April meeting of the RAAC Management sub-group had received presentations from the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC)
• a Gateway Review (audit) of the SG RAAC programme of work had been positive with recommendations around communications and taking forward experience gained as part of the RAAC response to inform preparation for future events 
• a lesson learnt piece of work would be undertaken with input requested from this group in due course

Sector updates

Housing 

The update in respect of social housing noted the following: 

• the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) continued to collect data from RSLs regarding the presence of RAAC
• given the number of social housing properties across Scotland (c625,000) the number found to contain RAAC was considered to be low 
• to date, 13 RSLs (both Local Authorities and housing associations) have discovered RAAC in their properties, SHR was engaging with these landlords
• 17 landlords were still investigating, an exercise expected to conclude in September  
• private owned/Right to Buy properties, particularly in mixed tenure settings was a complex issue
• there was good engagement with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and UK Finance on the implications for mortgages and insurance who were themselves providing information to homeowners (though it was clear that RAAC itself was not covered by insurance)
• a number of Local Authorities were working through options appraisal processes for long term management

In further discussion it was noted that engagement with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) would be useful particularly around valuation guidance (and would help support potentially vulnerable homeowners). There was also support for shared communications on social housing issues while noting that circumstances and solutions varied across different landlords and authorities. It was also noted that further information would be of value concerning stock transfer properties. 

It was noted that issues with insurance and mortgage lending had not arisen. However, issues with regards to communication to homeowners and engagement with owners RAAC Groups was raised. It was noted that building owners are responsible for their own property.

Health 

The update in respect of health noted the following: 

• NHS Assure was approaching completion of the discovery phase of work across the NHS estate 
• guidance on RAAC management was in the final stages of drafting and would be placed on the NHS Assure website along with FAQs and relevant links to individual Health Boards 
• arrangements were being made for RAAC focussed training for Health Board officials consisting of classroom and site-based learning, led by WSP 
• Point Cloud survey pilots would commence shortly (ref action 11.1)

In further discussion around wider survey and guidance work, MTC noted that RAAC was not limited to roofs but could also be found in walls and floors. MTC’s ‘playbook’ was at the stage of final review and should be available by mid-June.

MTC continued to develop the business case for their ‘phase 2’ work and were seeking funding from the UK Office of Government Property and Innovate UK in looking to establish a technology led cross government programme of work.

Training was being offered by NHS Assure, through their consultants, to health buildings property managers. It was discussed that such training may be beneficial to those managing buildings with RAAC in other sectors. 

Review of membership 

Members of the Group were requested to ensure their details were up to date and that, if invited, they had accepted the invitation to access papers via the objective connect link. This was also an opportunity to review membership of the group including whether or not there were any gaps in membership. Any comments on access, membership or the current Terms of Reference should be emailed to the RAAC Co-ordination Team. 

Any other business

A request was made to ensure that SG officials – along with others in the Group – could be informed as early as possible of any actions or events relating to RAAC which might attract wider public or media attention. 

Date of next meeting 

To be confirmed in due course.

Actions arising from the meeting

Action point 12.1

• engage with RICS

Action point 12.2

• officials to meet with UK Finance and others with regards to shared comms

Action point 12.3

• circulation of the draft MTC Strategic Outline Business Case to the Group for feedback/comment    

Action point 12.4

• members to email comments etc in respect of CSWG membership to the RAAC Co-ordination Team