This report updates the Committee on the Council’s response following Grenfell Tower fire in Kensington on 14 June 2017.  This includes action taken in relation to the Authority’s own housing stock, other corporate buildings and schools, as well as wider work in partnership with the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service in respect of privately owned high rise residential blocks within the Borough boundaries.

Further to Minute 28 of the meeting held on 14 March 2018, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report setting out the Council’s response following the Grenfell Tower fire in Kensington on 14 June 2017.  This included action taken in relation to the Authority’s own housing stock, other corporate buildings and schools, as well as wider work in partnership with the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service in respect of privately owned high rise residential blocks within the Borough boundaries.

The report stated that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) and the six Berkshire councils had been signed, to enable a partnership approach to inspections and enforcement of all high rise residential buildings.  As a result of the MOU, a building safety programme had been implemented and joint work commenced in March 2018 between RBFRS and the Council.  This work involved joint fire safety inspections of 32 of the most high risk residential buildings over 18 metres.  Inspections had been completed by 1 August 2018 and work to meet fire safety standards would be required as necessary.  Three high rise residential buildings had been identified with ACM cladding which had failed the required fire safety standards.  These buildings had had interim measures installed and were being monitored in accordance with the current Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) guidance.  The Council and RBFRS were working with stakeholders of the buildings to support plans to remove, and in some cases replace, the cladding.  There was regular communication and sharing of information between the Council and RBFRS, plus joint meetings with relevant stakeholders where required.  

Resolved –     That the action taken and planned in respect of fire safety in tall buildings, as detailed in the report, be noted.