The government made an announcement on 16 May 2018 that it
would fully fund the removal and replacement of unsafe aluminium
composite material (ACM) cladding on residential buildings which
are 18 metres or over, owned by councils and housing
associations.
The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
on 3 July 2018 provided further details of the Social Sector ACM Cladding Remediation
Fund with information on how councils and housing
associations can apply for this funding, including the scope of the
fund and more details on how it will operate and the information
required when applying.
A fund of £400million is being made available and grants will be
provided to cover all reasonable capital costs for the remediation
of ACM cladding systems, which have failed the large scale fire
performance tests, commissioned by the government in 2017.
Grant funding will not be available for:
- Internal works, replacement of windows, interim fire safety
measures and any other non-cladding system related costs
- Revenue costs including those associated with interim safety
measures
- Structural works not directly related to remediation of the
unsafe cladding
Councils must confirm that the proposed replacement material
used in the remediation works are classified as European Class A1
or Class A2.
Grant will be paid in 2 stages with 80% paid when remediation
works start on site.
Councils will be expected to take all reasonable steps to pursue
legal action, insurance claims and warranties where appropriate and
where councils have been successful in recovering costs, the
government will seek to recoup any grant funding provided under
this programme.
Applications are required for each high rise building and MHCLG
is asking councils to make applications for grant funding by the
end of August 2018.
Councils outside London must apply via Homes England using their
Investment Management System (IMS), London councils must apply via
the Greater Lindon Authority (GLA) using their Open Project System
(OPS).
Full details of the Social Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund
can be found on the government website.