Issue - meetings

1.         That the Fire Safety Policy, as set out in the Appendix to the report, be approved and implemented.

2.         That the growing focus on the fire safety industry following the tragic Grenfell Tower incident and the Hackitt Report be noted and that a further report be made to Cabinet dependent on the legislative and guidance changes that may arise.

Decision

1.         That the Fire Safety Policy, as set out in the Appendix to the report, be approved and implemented.

2.         That the growing focus on the fire safety industry following the tragic Grenfell Tower incident and the Hackitt Report be noted and that a further report be made to Cabinet dependent on the legislative and guidance changes that may arise.

Corporate objectives

Clean Safe and enjoyable environment

·         Ensure the safety of all people living, working in or visiting properties owned by the housing service;

·         Ensure alignment and adherence to current legislation and government policy on fire safety; and

·         Provide an overview of our approach to ensuring fire safety within our properties.

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer comments

Monitoring Officer: 

Continual monitoring and review of the policy will be essential to ensure that the Council meets its statutory requirements and follows best practice.

Deputy S.151 Officer

The implementation of the fire safety policy is budgeted for and can be delivered within existing approved budgets.

Advice

Councillor Griffiths introduced the report and said it was a very important policy. The council have a good relationship with local fire services and do work with them and act on their advice.

F Williamson said this was a key area in the compliance team. There was an opportunity to look at structure within the team and replaced the Programme and Procurement Team Leader with a Compliance Team Leader. The current focus is to look at maintaining and strengthening compliance. There is now a fully staff team to oversee this fire safety policy and other policies.

Councillor Tindall referred to paragraphs 2.7 and 2.8 and asked if hoarding, especially paperwork, had been taken into consideration as this could be a serious fire hazard.

F Williamson said there are a number of methods to identify hoarders. The annual gas safety inspections are one way. A concern card will be submitted and the council then set up a tenancy management visit to work with the tenant to address the issue.

Councillor Marshall asked if the tenants and leaseholders committee had looked at this policy and asked how the new policy would be advertised.

R Lang said he thought it had been to the committee but would double check. There were several methods of engaging with tenants on this new policy – it is in the council’s best interests to publicise it widely

Councillor Harden said that the Anti-Social Behaviour Team also pick up on hoarder issues. He understood that nationally, there is work ongoing to look at categorising hoarding as a mental illness.

Voting

None.