Luke Fletcher MS writes about the repercussions of the Arbed scheme that residents in the Llynfi valley community of Caerau have endured for over a decade, and supports their demands for a fair deal.
Residents in Caerau in the Llynfi Valley have been dealing with the repercussions of the Arbed scheme for over a decade.
For readers unfamiliar with the Arbed scheme, it was a Welsh Government programme designed to help tackle fuel poverty and reduce energy bills by funding home insulation and energy efficiency measures.
Work was undertaken on a number of homes in Caerau in 2012-2013, but it quickly became apparent that the work carried out was of extremely poor quality, leaving homes in states of disrepair. Many have had to spend thousands on home repairs, and many still live in homes plagued by damp.
Bridgend County Borough Council have now commissioned an organisation called Warmworks to carry out remedial works, but residents have lost faith that anything will be done given the amount of time that has already passed since the initial scheme.
On Friday 12th July, I met with residents in Caerau, many who have already dedicated countless hours to campaigning for justice for the residents, to discuss a way forward. A petition has now been launched calling for a fair deal for those impacted by the Arbed scandal.
This includes calls for compensation for residents as well as the remedial works on their homes being completed to quality standards.
In the Senedd, I have called on the Welsh Government to provide the necessary compensation, and also issue a joint statement with the council and Warmworks, outlining the next steps and providing a clear timeline for the completion of repairs. This statement must also address the issue of compensation for the residents who participated in the Government’s scheme in good faith, only to find themselves being burnt.
Immediate action and a commitment to transparency are essential to restore faith and ensure that residents can once again live in homes that are safe and comfortable. The Welsh Government must prioritize this issue and work in partnership with the council and Warmworks to expedite the repair process and provide the necessary support to the residents of Caerau.
Residents entered the scheme in good faith, now that good faith must be returned in kind.
If you are interested in signing the petition, you can do so here.
If you want to support Plaid Cymru and Luke, please click here.
Showing 1 reaction
Sign in with
Sign in with Facebook Sign in with Twitter