The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) setting out the progress in delivering the Council’s Fire Safety Review, which was established following the Grenfell Tower fire on 14^th June 2017.

The report also set out the Council’s response to the Government Consultation ‘Building a Safety Future: Proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system’ that sets out the Government’s proposals to implement the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.

Resolved:-

1.    That the work undertaken by the Council and South Essex Homes with respect to Fire Safety including independent fire engineer assessments of two typical tower blocks and proposals to undertake Type 4 Fire Risk Assessments in a further two typical blocks be noted and endorsed.

2.    That the Council’s response to the Government Consultation ‘Building a Safety Future: Proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system’ be noted and endorsed.

3.    That a further update be provided to Cabinet in spring 2020.

4.    That it be noted that a request to increase the Fire Improvement Works capital budget for 2019/20 has been included in the Corporate Budget Performance – July 2019/20 report.

Recommended:-

5.    That £750k p.a. be added to the Fire Improvement Works capital budget for the five years from 2020/21 to 2024/25, to be financed by corporate borrowing.

Reasons for Decision

1.    The Council has undertaken a fundamental review of its fire safety policies and procedures, reviewed its property stock and put in place appropriate resources (financial and other) to ensure that it maintains its buildings in a safe condition whilst upgrading them where this is appropriate and practicable.

2.    The Council has also recognised its ‘community leadership’ role with respect to fire safety and engaged with partners and the private sector to ensure residents, employees and visitors across the Borough are housed in, work in or visit safe premises.

3.    The Council has considered the recommendations of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety and determined that it should take immediate steps to assess and enhance its duty holder requirements and to enhance opportunities for members of the public to raise concerns.

Other Options

1.    To maintain all operational properties in their current condition with fire improvement works and, where practicable, to bring them up to the requirements of the latest Building Regulations when they next undergo major alterations and/or extension.

2.    To maintain the current arrangements whereby individual building managers are identified as responsible for the buildings within which they operate.

3.    To commit to the immediate adoption of all recommendations set out within the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.

Note: The decisions in 1-4 above constitute an Executive Function. The decision in 5 above constitutes a Council Function.

Eligible for call in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Councillors Gilbert and Terry