Part 2: The Regulator and its functions Committees Section 11: Residents’ panel Background
This is a new provision. The provision reflects that the Independent Review found that trust in the building regulation and fire safety system needs to be rebuilt, with resident involvement and engagement placed at the heart of the new system. This is in addition to the general powers to set up committees relating to building functions and pay committee members under new section 11A of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
	Having in place a residents’ panel will ensure that residents are able to contribute to key policy changes related to residents made by the Building Safety Regulator and also empower the Building Safety Regulator to call on the expertise of the residents’ panel for insight and support, wherever necessary.
	Disabled residents may be particularly vulnerable if there is a major incident in a high-rise residential building. Therefore, specific provision is made to help ensure that the Building Safety Regulator seeks representation from disabled residents (or bodies that represent them).