Cameron House Fatal Accident Inquiry recommendations: Short Life Working Group final report

2.0 Introduction

The purpose of this report is to share the findings, conclusions and actions from the Short-Life Working Group (SLWG), created following the publication of the FAI report on 11 January 2023 into the deaths of Simon Midgley and Richard Dyson following a building fire at Cameron House Hotel on 18 December 2017. This work and final report has been overseen by the Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety comprising:

• Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice (Chair)
• Paul McLennan, Minister for Housing
• Patrick Harvie, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenant’s Rights
• Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety

The Scottish Government established the SLWG as a forum to consider the recommendations from the FAI. It brought together those parties directly referenced within the FAI report by Sheriff McCartney, namely, Scottish Government, Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), UK Hospitality Scotland (UKHS) and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). The SLWG also had membership from the following organisations:

• National Trust for Scotland
• Historic Houses
• Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
• Local Authority Building Standards Scotland
• The Scottish Bed and Breakfast Association
• Hostelling Scotland
• The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers
• Historic Environment Scotland

The STA and UKHS represented the owners or operators of hotels or similar accommodation in Scotland. It is acknowledged that these industry organisations have no power to mandate actions from owners or operators of hotels or similar accommodation. However, in their position of industry leadership they will seek the best outcomes by addressing the delivery of each recommendation within their remit.

The actions in this report are the result of collaboration across different sectors with group members from a wide variety of backgrounds who have brought evidence, challenge and experience to the group. This report is agreed by all members of the SLWG. Their engagement and contribution to co-produce this work is acknowledged.

Our thoughts remain with the families of Simon Midgley and Richard Dyson. This report and the changes being made are a consequence of the families’ work to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.