The power to make Glasgow buildings with flammable cladding safer is in the hands of the Scottish Government, a meeting heard.

It was previously reported that some tower blocks in the city contained cladding similar to the type found in Grenfell Tower.

Seventy two people died in London’s Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017 as the building was clad in combustible material. 

Councillor Ann Jenkins, Labour,  asked what action has been taken to address the issue of dangerous cladding on some of the city’s buildings pointing out living with the risk causes people anxiety.

Responding to councillor Jenkin’s query at a council meeting last week, councillor Ruairi Kelly said: “The issue here is being addressed by the Housing Cladding Scotland Remediation Act 2024, which became law in June but as yet no date has been set for the legal commencement.

“It is therefore Scottish Ministers who hold the legislative responsibility for undertaking action from identifying external cladding that could create or exacerbate risks of fire and to addressing these risks –  but also to establish a register recording whether a building’s claddings has been assessed and that remedial works have been completed.”

He said developers would have to sign up to take action for properties built between June of 1992 and June 2022.

The convenor for housing added: “ Crucially there are no statutory powers available to local authorities to seek the upgrading of cladding on buildings in private ownership.”

Bailie Jenkins queried if any money from a £97 million fund had been allocated to the council to address the problem and how many properties have had cladding removed.

SNP councillor Kelly replied: “I don’t disagree for one second about the severity of this issue. “I would question the fact that £97 million has been allocated to Glasgow specifically for this issue considering the legislation isn’t yet in place to determine the remedial action needed to take place or any legislative powers being handed to councils.”

He continued: This is not an issue that councils have specific funding for now.”