Agenda item

Joint report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services and The Remembrancer.

The Sub Committee considered a joint report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services and the Rememberancer outlining the relevant provisions of the Fire Safety Act 2021.

Officers advised the issues contained in the report were discussed extensively at the annual Housing Conference.  The new Act was not yet fully enforceable as Central Government had yet to issue clarification/guidance on certain elements.  

Officers reminded Members the CoL had a responsibility under the Housing Act for private dwellings which may contain cladding and was working closely with MCHLG on this.  There were also concerns in respect of the role of the “Responsible Person” and a further update on this would be presented to the Sub Committee most likely on 20 January 2022.

In response to questions from Members, Officers stated that the timescales for fire doors replacement related to HRA properties (excluding the Barbican Estate).  In terms of the EWS1 form, £100,000 was a rough estimate and applied to all HRA blocks. There was no legal requirement for ESW1 forms to be completed and following the RICS guidance would not cover all properties and could result in some properties being unmortgageable.  Officers undertook to look at processing EWS1 forms for properties which meet the RICS guidance although there was a shortage of expertise to process EWS1 forms

RESOLVED –

1. That the report be noted.
   
   
2. That Officers consider the feasibility of processing EWS1 forms for properties which meet the RICS guidance.