Agenda item

7.1

The Committee received a presentation, given by Jill Hurst (Head of Housing Investment and Repairs), which provided a progress update on Fire Safety in Housing following the Grenfell Tower fire.  Also present for this item was Councillor Jayne Dunn (Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety).

7.2

Jill Hurst took the Committee through the presentation which covered general progress, Sheffield City Council tower blocks, with particular reference to the Hanover tower block, and provided information on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety being led by Dame Judith Hackitt. 

7.3

Members made various comments and asked a number of questions, to which responses were provided as follows:-

·                Officers were trying to work with leaseholders of properties with regard to fire safety, but it should be noted that some did not co-operate with regard to access.

·                In tower blocks, the door to each flat was the responsibility of the Council as it provided a barrier to fire. 

·                The definition of a high rise block was one which was over 80 metres high or greater than 6 storeys.

·                Officers would take advice from the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to ensure that any remedial works met Government standards and that tenants were safe.

·                The Council awaited the recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry, but it was accepted that sprinklers would help to mitigate risks.

·                With regard to low rise and sheltered schemes, fire precaution work had been undertaken under the Decent Homes Scheme.  However, the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service had indicated that more could be done and enhancements had occurred.  In addition, a fire safety expert would be undertaking sample checks on any works done. 

·                The South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were committed to the ‘Stay Put’ policy, but some tenants needed convincing about this. 

7.4

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)       thanks Councillor Jayne Dunn (Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety) and Jill Hurst for their contribution to the meeting;

(b)       notes the contents of the presentation and responses to questions; and

(c)        requests that the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety writes a further letter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, to request Government funding for the fire safety measures required in Sheffield City Council’s residential tower blocks.