The Assistant Director of Housing introduced the report to Members advising them following the tragic events at the Grenfell Tower block in Kensington triggered an urgent review of fire safety arrangements in Thurrock’s tower blocks, including:

•               The fire safety regime in place for the councils comparable stock and

•               The actions taken by the Council since the incident to provide reassurance to residents, co-operate with the government’s investigation into the causes of the Grenfell fire, and achieve a `double assurance’ of the safety of our tower block accommodation.

It was stated that the Essex Fire service played a key role at the tenant meetings and further discussed that no tower block in the borough had been called in by the government for testing. Officers notified Members that the council would be carrying out their own cladding testing, which was due to run from August to October.

Officers informed the Committee on nine of the blocks the gas risings were to be removed by National Grid at the end of October, which would also consist of follow up checks.  Members were further informed Liberty Gas had been commissioned to carry out gas checks in all the required blocks.

During discussions officers reported they were awaiting guidance from Government in relation to fire sprinklers, Members were advised to install new sprinkler systems of this nature per tower block in Thurrock would cost between £80 thousand to £150 thousand.

The Committee were further notified Officers were to carry out a Stock Condition Survey, along with a stock assessment.

Members thanked officers for the report and congratulated them on how quickly they were in contact with residents to offer reassurance and advice.

Councillor Pothecary queried as to whether the compartmentation process was still in place. Officers confirmed fire risk assessments, repairs and daily or weekly checks were being completed. Alongside this fire alarms were check by the Fire Authority, following which nothing was noted.

The Assistant Director of Housing further commented that front doors on flats within the blocks were to be fire doors. Such doors in an emergency when shut would stop smoke and fire for up to 30 minutes, allowing the fire service to handle the fire.

It was sought as to whether tower block without cladding and schools in the borough would also be checked. Officers informed Members residential homes had been checked, it was further explained NHS England were keen to offer reassurance to residents.

Members commented on the presentation given by the Fire Authority at the Cleaner, Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee. It was further commented as to whether any defects identified had been repaired and if the fire risks assessment had been updated. The Assistant Director of Housing explained that a meeting with Mears had taken place and any potential fire safety defect had been made a priority.  It was confirmed new fire assessments were to be held and these would be audited by the Fire Service.

The Chair of the Committee asked if funding for the sprinkler systems was to be forthcoming. The Assistant Director of Housing explained they had not received any details at present however such funds would be rind fenced.

The Housing Tennant Representative enquired as to all council properties were too checked, such as the town houses in Chadwell St Mary. Officers advised that it was not really cladding that was used on those properties, however they would be speaking with all residents. 

RESOLVED that the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted and commented on the report.