Agenda item

Robbie Erbmann, Assistant Director for Housing, reported on progress with the implementation of the recommendations of the scrutiny review on Fire Safety in High Rise Blocks as follows:

a.    The Building Safety Bill would provide the framework for the implementation of the recommendations of the Hackett Review and was likely to result in sweeping changes when passed.    Although a further report on the legislative changes was due to come to the Committee on 12 January, he felt that it might be better to wait for this until such time as the bill had progressed further through parliament;

b.    The practical application of the new legislation was currently being worked through, including the requirements for an Accountable Officer and Building Safety Manager as well as the need for building fire safety cases for high rise blocks;

c.    Building Control officers had been upskilled and now all had the highest competencies for fire safety. Homes for Haringey were currently also recruiting for their building safety management team.  It had been planned to recruit a single person to undertake the roles required but these had now been spread across the team due to the very limited number of individuals there were who possessed all the required skills; and

d.    Intrusive fire risk assessments were being undertaken on all high rise blocks on Broadwater Farm and other blocks and would be completed within 9 to 12 months.

Bob McIver, the Head of Building Control, reported that although efforts that had been made to recruit additional Building Control officers, these had not been very successful so action had instead been taken to upskill current staff.  Consideration was being given to recruiting apprentices but it was not easy to deliver training at the moment though, due to the team not currently being in the office due to the pandemic.  In addition, funding was a big issue.

In answer to a question, it was noted that the communication strategy regarding engagement with residents on fire safety was currently being updated and that it could be shared with the Committee when completed (Action: AD for Housing).  Signage was also now being provided in a range of community languages. 

The Committee requested that information on Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) of blocks be shared with local ward Councillors.  In response to a question, Farzad Fazilat, Head of Brokerage, reported that two engagement events had been held with care and nursing homes on fire safety and these had also included the Fire Service.  Care homes and nursing homes were required to display FRAs on their premises but not obliged to put them on their websites.  They were nevertheless encouraged to do so and he agreed to request that they do so again (Action: Head of Brokerage). 

Councillor Gordon stated that there were a number of individual issues relating to fire safety that she would like to consider in greater detail at the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel.    In particular, there was a lack of information regarding FRAs on buildings where fire risk had been assessed as substantial.  It was also unclear whether there were FRAs for sheltered housing developments.  In addition, there were 265 timber framed buildings in the borough and 574 that had some sort of cladding.  There were issues arising from the fire that had taken place at Firs House that needed to be addressed.  In respect of Building Control, concern was expressed that little progress had been achieved in recruiting additional officers.  If additional officers were recruited, they could potentially generate income for the Council.  It was agreed to recommend that at least two apprentice Building Control Officers be recruited (Action: Dir, Housing, Regeneration and Planning).

Mr Erbmann stated that further work could be undertaken to increase the transparency of FRAs.  There were still a number of intrusive FRAs that needed to be completed.  Once this process was finished, there would be more clarity on the level of risk.  Work relating to timber framed buildings had been brought forward and would be starting soon.  There were no buildings in the borough with cladding that were classified as high risk.  Investigations on the fire at Firs House were continuing.  However, indications were that compartmentation in the original structure had been effective and that the problems had arisen from the new roof.  It was important that fire safety was considered fully where changes were made to buildings. 

Mr McIver reported that a review had been undertaken of all buildings within the borough that were over 18 metres tall, with details passed onto the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).   There were approximately 130 of these.  A number of buildings with cladding were now having works.  It was noted that Homes had 54 high rise blocks within the borough.  None of these had cladding that was considered to be high risk.  It was agreed that further information would be shared with the Committee on lower rise buildings that had cladding. 

Ms Denny stated that there had been some delays in remedial work being undertaken in some blocks, including fitting of new fire doors.  This was despite leaseholders already having paid for the necessary works. Mr Erbmann reported that there had not been complete confidence that the original fire doors selected to be fitted would meet the necessary safety standards so new ones were now being selected.  He agreed to write to Ms Denny to provide further information.

RESOLVED:

1.    That communication strategy regarding engagement with residents on fire safety be shared with Committee Members when completed;

2.    That information on Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) undertaken on housing blocks be shared with local ward Councillors;

3.    That at least two apprentice Building Control Officers be recruited to the Council’s Building Control team; and

4.    That further information be shared with the Committee on lower rise Homes for Haringey blocks that have cladding.