Insulation scandal victims still waiting
VICTIMS of a home insulation scandal involving shoddy workmanship that wrecked homes in one of Wales’ poorest communities are still waiting for repair work to be done more than a year after the Welsh Government decided to set aside £2.65m to pay for it.
When she announced the cash award, Climate Change Minister Julie James said it was intended to put right errors made more than a decade ago when homes at Caerau, near Maesteg, were insulated.
In 2020 the leader and chief executive of Bridgend County Borough Council apologised to homeowners for the saga that left many of them facing repair bills of more than £20,000.
The authority paid more than £300,000 to Green Renewable Wales Ltd (GRW) to insulate the homes under a grant scheme administered by the council known as Arbed.
But senior council officers have 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 in 2021. Mr White had been a member of the council’s cabinet and was the subject of an investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.
After the scheme was completed, numerous complaints were raised about the internal and external wall insulation work that was undertaken.
An independent consultant’s report was scathing about the quality of the work.
Homeowners whose homes were damaged are, however, still waiting for the remediation work to be done.
They have received a letter from their MP Chris Elmore and their MS Huw IrrancaDavies expressing sympathy for their continuing frustration.
The letter stated: “While the delays are understandably frustrating for you and everybody involved, it is at least reassuring to know that progress has been made on the final details of the scheme and that plans are being put in place to engage with all residents affected.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We are providing £2.65m over the next three years to Bridgend County Borough Council which will be used to repair more than 100 homes in the Caerau area.
“Officers and officials continue to work together to finalise the details of the grant award, which will make a positive and lasting difference.”
The spokesman added: “Officials issued the grant award on January 9 which includes technical conditions to ensure the completion of the work to the satisfaction of the homeowners and meeting current housing standards.
“Bridgend are formally considering the grant offer letter. Officials and council officers remain in close dialogue to finalise the details.”