Minute 431(Cabinet Book 2, Agenda Item 12 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Nevin and Dent

The Committee considered Minute 431 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 6th November 2018, which had been called-in for Scrutiny. This concerned the Notice of Motion calling on the Council to review fire safety in all its tall buildings with a level 4 risk assessment and install automated fire alarms and sprinkler systems.

This had been proposed by Councillor Ware-Lane and seconded by Councillor Nevin.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

1. That the Council and South Essex Homes continue their pro-active, evidence and risk based approach to delivering fire safety enhancements across their respective property portfolios.

2. That the Council and South Essex Homes maintain their active dialogue with Essex Fire and Rescue in relation to any changes that may be taken forward to enhance fire safety measures across their respective property portfolios.

3. That the Council write to the Secretary of State for the Housing, Communities and Local Government requesting that the Department progress its formal response to the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety and, in particular, any changes to Approved Document B. This will enable the Council to fully assess whether additional resources are required to meet the changes enacted and to plan accordingly.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Flewitt

Notice of Motion attached.

At the meeting of Council held 18^th October 2018, Members received a notice of motion calling on the Council to review fire safety in all its tall buildings with a level 4 risk assessment and install automated fire alarms and sprinkler systems.

This had been proposed by Councillor Ware-Lane and seconded by Councillor Nevin.

Resolved:

1. That the Council and South Essex Homes continue their pro-active, evidence and risk based approach to delivering fire safety enhancements across their respective property portfolios.

2. That the Council and South Essex Homes maintain their active dialogue with Essex Fire and Rescue in relation to any changes that may be taken forward to enhance fire safety measures across their respective property portfolios.

3. That the Council write to the Secretary of State for the Housing, Communities and Local Government requesting that the Department progress its formal response to the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety and, in particular, any changes to Approved Document B. This will enable the Council to fully assess whether additional resources are required to meet the changes enacted and to plan accordingly.

Reason for decision:

To respond to the Notice of Motion.

Other options:

None.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Flewitt

At the meeting of Council held 18^th October 2018, Members received a notice of motion calling on the Council to review fire safety in all its tall buildings with a level 4 risk assessment and install automated fire alarms and sprinkler systems.

This had been proposed by Councillor Ware-Lane and seconded by Councillor Nevin.

Resolved:

1. That the Council and South Essex Homes continue their pro-active, evidence and risk based approach to delivering fire safety enhancements across their respective property portfolios.

2. That the Council and South Essex Homes maintain their active dialogue with Essex Fire and Rescue in relation to any changes that may be taken forward to enhance fire safety measures across their respective property portfolios.

3. That the Council write to the Secretary of State for the Housing, Communities and Local Government requesting that the Department progress its formal response to the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety and, in particular, any changes to Approved Document B. This will enable the Council to fully assess whether additional resources are required to meet the changes enacted and to plan accordingly.

Reason for decision:

To respond to the Notice of Motion.

Other options:

None.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Flewitt

Notice of Motion attached.

Resolved:

That in accordance with Standing Order 8.4, the following Notice of Motion, be referred to the Cabinet:

‘Fire Safety

Southend Borough Council notes that:

Many of our tall buildings are in excess of 10 floors, for example buildings on the Queensway Estate are 17 floors. If there is a fire that blocks the stairwell above level 10, residents have no "plan B" as an escape route, the same circumstance that residents and fire rescue teams encountered at Grenfell. According to Essex Fire & Rescue, of the 55 tall buildings in Southend, 11 are above 10 stories.

Under the STAY PUT POLICY, residents are told that unless smoke or fire is entering their dwelling, they should remain in their homes and await rescue.

The STAY PUT POLICY can fail, and compartmentalisation can be compromised by retrofitting of plumbing, electrical upgrades, installing insulation or adding inferior products. Holes in walls that are not sealed with fireproof sealant, pipe work with fire collars, allow the passage of air, smoke and flames.

It has come to light that the STAY PUT POLICY at Grenfell failed and fire crews were surprised at the pace, the fire spread.

With single-staircase buildings, if the only exit is blocked, there is no plan B to escape. At Grenfell fire crews didn't have the equipment to reach the highest parts of the building. In Southend, the fire brigade has only ladders and platforms to reach level 10, so would need to call in equipment from another part of the county. Cuts to funding for the Fire Service has not only left it short of adequate equipment, but also trained fire-fighters to operate them. Residents awaiting rescue are told their homes are safe from fire for 30 minutes, which isn't a long time. According to Essex Fire & Rescue, 2 tall buildings in Southend have a Plan B for escape. Delays cost lives.

Warden operated fire alarms also result in delays, when automated responses and human error is considered, it adds to the risk factor. According to Essex Fire & Rescue, the number of tall buildings with a monitored alarm is 2.

Fire doors from five different suppliers have now been withdrawn from sale, after being identified by the government, as failing to meet safety standards.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has urged all housing providers to carry out new risk assessments, as has the National Fire Chiefs Council. Doors that under current building regulations, were supposed to withstand smoke and flames for 30 minutes, were barely lasting 15 minutes.

After the Lakanal House fire the Coroner, recommended retrofitting of sprinkler systems in all tall buildings. The big issue with this is cost implications for landlords, but the safety benefits are huge and it lessens the need for the installation of automated alarms and gives residents piece of mind. Concerns in Southend that landlords of buildings which are earmarked for demolition,may be unwilling to spend large amounts in the short-term, but in the long-term these landlords have a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 396