Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services

 Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the work done on potential improvements to enhance the safety of the City of London Corporation’s (CoLC’s) Barbican Residential Estate and its residents in the event of fire. 

When the report was considered by the Community and Children’s Services Committee, Members were asked to consider the strategic direction the CoLC should take in its future approach to fire safety.  Pending the decision taken at the meeting of the Community and Children’s Services, Members noted that there had been an expectation that the recommendations from Dame Judith Hackett’s report would be different.  The Assistant Director further explained that, since the cladding at Grenfell Tower had been unfit for purpose, there was no longer a retrospective requirement to fit sprinklers to Tower Blocks.

Members noted that fire testing of doors had taken place the previous Saturday, attended by some Members and officers, including RCC Members, and the Assistant Director advised that the test had gone well, with a combustion point of 36 minutes.  Members also noted that the Fire Risk Assessments had not raised significant concerns on compartmentation.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.