Agenda item

To receive the report of Abigail Ellis, Investment & Resident Safety Programme Director.

RECEIVED the report of Abigail Ellis, Investment & Resident Safety Programme Director.

NOTED

1.    The verbal introduction by Councillor Gina Needs, Cabinet Member for Social Housing.

2.    Members’ agreement that more training around building safety responsibilities would be useful, to enhance knowledge.

3.    Key points of the report highlighted by Joanne Drew, Director of Housing & Regeneration. Members were invited to raise questions and comments.

4.    In response to Members’ queries regarding the fire safety measures, it was confirmed the inspection regimes and responsibilities were set out in Para 5 Table 1 of the report. It would be important to educate residents for them to also take responsibility for in-flat testing. It was also confirmed there was a stay-put policy for residents as the best way to manage an incident.

5.    In response to Members’ queries regarding lack of Fire Fighting lifts, it was advised these had not been raised by the Fire Brigade as a deficiency. Further to a risk based review informing the lift replacement programme, they were not a recommended solution in blocks. However, officers would re-check and would seek the perspective of the Fire Brigade.

6.    Officers provided more information on premises information boxes (PIBs), and that information on vulnerable residents and those with mobility issues would be included, and would be part of the responsibilities of the new role of Building Safety Managers.

7.    It was confirmed that access on estates for emergency services vehicles was kept under review, and the Council had a system in place.

8.    Members asked for an estimate of the numbers of additional staff and of the additional cost in implementing the measures. It was estimated that the Council would require a team of Building Safety Managers and an investment around £800k per annum by April 2023. The HRA business plan was being reviewed. There was potential for LBE Building Control to provide services as the Building Control Authority and collect fees for those services.

9.    Officers would check with the private sector enforcement team whether further checks on standards would be required in future, if the same checks applied to private developments.

10. Regarding the Fire Safety Programme, Officers provided information on slippages and pressures on materials and labour, and the prioritisation and phasing of works.

11. The role of care takers at blocks was discussed. As Cabinet Member, Councillor Needs asked to be advised of any issues of concern. Ward councillors would be contacted with the schedule of annual estate walkabouts and invited to join them. The appropriate contacts for residents to report issues were on information boards in each estate block.

The Scrutiny Panel AGREED to:

(i)            Request further feedback from the Director of Housing & Regeneration on fire fighting and evacuation lifts, and the Fire Brigade officers and unions’ perspective.

(ii)          Request further feedback from the Director of Housing & Regeneration on resource and staffing implications of the new measures to the Council, and on enforcement of private developments.

(iii)         Recommend training on the legislatory changes for the portfolio holders and key members.

(iv)         Recommend an information campaign / education for Council tenants on fire safety measures.