Agenda item

RESOLVED: That the relevant Select Committees keep this issue under review.

4.1       The Chair introduced the item, thanked all those involved in responding to the fire, and welcomed the Mayor to the meeting. The Mayor echoed these thanks, outlined the Council’s responsibilities to all Lewisham residents in terms of fire safety and talked about short and long-term responses, anticipating fundamental changes to fire regulations and public housing over time.

4.2       The Chair welcomed Martin Corbett, and his colleague Gary Price, from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to the meeting. Martin made the following key points:

·         The LFB was reassuring residents in Lewisham tower blocks that where they live is safe.

·         Whilst the responsibility for fire risk assessments lies with housing providers, the LFB had set up a task force to help councils conduct audits of ‘high risk’ buildings (mainly those with ACM cladding). Three buildings in Lewisham had ACM cladding.

·         As a result of the Grenfell fire, the LFB’s tactical plans had changed and they now sent five, rather than four, appliances to fires in tower blocks (a decision taken two days after the fire).

·         The LFB was also conducting home fire safety visits (available on request) to reassure and assist worried residents.

4.3       In response to questions from the Committee it was noted that:

·         There had been no requests, to date, in Lewisham, for audits of any non-residential buildings, but the LFB worked with commercial buildings on a daily basis. Gary Price confirmed that 30 inspecting officers had been seconded to a task force to inspect premises identified with ACM, regardless of the residential/commercial status of the building. The audits included an assessment of access, hydrants, voids, compartmentalisation, fire stops, fire doors and escape routes. They also involved scrutiny of the fire risk assessment. In addition, there was a specialist hospital team that would be inspecting Lewisham Hospital in due course. Schools would also be inspected in due course.

·         The same tests were being conducted on each ACM sample and additional tests could also be undertaken. All landlords of tall buildings in Lewisham had been asked to test their cladding to DCLG standards and were doing this. All had responded although the results of some tests were still outstanding.

·         Whilst the LFB would always advocate the use of sprinklers, there was a spectrum of opinion on whether they were always the best option. Kevin Sheehan confirmed that their use in Lewisham’s social housing buildings would be considered should a fire safety risk assessment suggest they might be of benefit and installed wherever they would be the safest option.

4.4      Martin Corbett and Gary Price were thanked for attending the meeting and it was noted that the programme of work arising from this tragedy would continue and would continue to be scrutinised.

4.5      RESOLVED: That the relevant Select Committees keep this issue under review.