Compensation call over home insulation work
A FORMER council leader has called on the Welsh Government to compensate more than 100 residents whose homes were damaged by shoddy workmanship when they agreed to participate in a scheme that was meant to improve insulation.
A year ago the current leader and chief executive of Bridgend council apologised to homeowners at Caerau, near Maesteg, for the saga that has left many of them facing repair bills of more than £20,000.
The authority paid more than £300,000 to Green Renewable Wales (GRW) to deliver improvements to the homes.
It has been confirmed that no audit trail exists to trace the awarding of the contract to GRW, one of whose directors was Labour councillor Phil White, who died last month.
Cllr White had been a member of the council’s cabinet.
The insulation programme, known as the Arbed scheme, was launched by the Welsh Government to address fuel poverty and contribute to carbon reduction in some of Wales’ poorest areas.
In Caerau, around 150 homes were part of the scheme, Bridgend council administered the funding for 70 of these properties, appointing GRW as the main contractor for the work.
Since the programme was completed, numerous complaints have been raised regarding the internal and external wall insulation work that was undertaken.
While some of the complaints were dealt with by the contractors following intervention by trading standards, the council more recently commissioned an independent report from specialists NuVision Energy Wales.
The report revealed significant problems with the building work.
The council’s chief executive Mark Shephard told councillors last year: “Irrespective of who carried it out or how it was funded, I am sorry that residents have had to put up with the impact of such poorly-executed work.
“Following concerns which were originally raised by a former chief executive of the authority, our internal audit team conducted a thorough and lengthy investigation into all of the issues.
“This includes consideration of links between Green Renewable Wales Ltd and a former cabinet member, and has resulted in further referrals being made to external agencies which have the appropriate authority to deal with any issues raised.
“As we are committed towards making this a transparent process, I want people to know that the council referred the matter to the Public Service Ombudsman for their independent consideration some time ago.
“We have kept other appropriate bodies, such as Audit Wales, appraised of the situation throughout.”
Former Bridgend council Labour leader Jeff Jones said: “Many of the residents affected have been left high and dry. They were persuaded to take part in the Arbed scheme because they were told their homes would be better insulated. They can’t sue the company that did the shoddy work because it’s gone into liquidation and in many cases can’t afford to pay for the repairs that are needed.
“The Arbed scheme was run by the Welsh Government and I think they have the moral responsibility to put matters right. I am appalled at the behaviour of some politicians who just want to pretend the problem will solve itself. It won’t.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We are working with the local authority to a resolution for householders affected by the failure of external wall insulation.
“Welsh Ministers have written to the UK Government to seek funding to undertake the remedial work as the scheme was part of the UK Government’s Community Energy Savings Programme, which ended in 2012. Domestic energy efficiency retrofit standards have improved since this project was completed, with the introduction of PAS 2030 and 2035 in 2019
“When installed correctly, cavity and external wall insulation can make a significant contribution to reduced carbon emissions and fuel bills, while improving comfort for householders.”