Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services, which provided an update on the City of London Corporation’s approach to fire safety on the Barbican Estate and, following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in June this year, to inform Members of the subsequent actions taken by the City Corporation.  

The Assistant Director advised that he had recently received Counsel’s opinion as to the City’s ability to recharge Leaseholders for fire safety works. Based on the information provided, the Barrister advised that, in her opinion, the cost of such works cannot be recovered from Long Leaseholders. Officers were therefore carefully analysing this and taking advice from similar local authorities.  Members noted that this analysis would not impact on the pace of the fire safety works. Members also noted that the new fire risk assessments commissioned by the City were a more intrusive ‘Type 3’ assessment which, provides for a survey of the interior of a sample number of dwellings as well as the common areas.

Finally, Members were reminded that the City of London Corporation was taking a holistic approach to fire safety, looking at many potential improvements. It is intended that the Director of Community and Children’s Services would bring a full report to the next meeting of the Committee to include the provision of new fire doors, alarms and sprinklers.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.  

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which provided an update on the City of London Corporation’s approach to fire safety on the Barbican Estate and, following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in June this year, to inform Members on the subsequent actions taken by the City Corporation.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

• The financial implications on lease holders were not known at this stage.

• Following the Type 3 Risk Assessments, which would commence on the Barbican Estate in January 2018, the results would be analysed and evaluated and an action plan produced.  This would be shared with house groups and published as soon as possible.  Members asked if printed copies could be made available at the Estate Office. 

• There had been second series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) on the website and a third series was ready to be added and shared via email broadcast.  The questions covered those outstanding and those raised during the residents’ drop-in session. 

• There had been an extremely high demand nationally for fire door testing and there was a current backlog of 12-14 weeks.  Officers were looking at alternatives to reduce the timescales.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.