Laura Sharman 28 October 2021

Council breaches Home Standard after missing safety inspections

Council breaches Home Standard after missing safety inspections image

Norwich City Council failed to carry out inspections relating to fire, electrical, asbestos and water safety, causing the potential for 'serious detriment to tenants'.

The Regulator of Social Housing has warned the council breached the Home Standard after failing to meet statutory health and safety requirements.

The council - which referred itself to the regulator - said over one thousand electrical inspections were overdue, including around two hundred communal tests.

It also failed to complete a number of fire risk assessments on time, including some at high-risk buildings and sheltered scheme.

Hundreds of legionella risk assessments were also overdue, and the council was unable to provide data on either communal or domestic asbestos surveys.

The notice said: 'Taking all of this information into account, the regulator concluded that Norwich City Council has breached the Home Standard, and as consequence, there was the potential for serious detriment to tenants.

'Since identifying these issues, Norwich City Council has worked with an external consultant to develop and implement an action plan in order to strengthen its systems and return to compliance. A programme of work has commenced, and we have been assured by Norwich City Council that it has taken immediate and appropriate action to mitigate the risks to tenants while the programme is being delivered.'

Alan Waters, leader of the council, said: 'We take full responsibility for not meeting the required standards as set out by the regulator. In plain terms, we have fallen short of what our tenants and leaseholders should be able to expect from us regarding safety checks across all our council homes.

'Our commitment to resolving this matter is unwavering. The urgent work programme we already have in place to bring all our compliance checks up to date is priority for us and is underway.

'We feel assured that the regulator is confident our work programme will resolve the matters we brought to their attention and that no enforcement action is necessary.'

Photo: GaryReggae / Geograph

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Deputy Income Maximisation Manager

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£47,730 - 57,837 per annum
Salary Range
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Strategic Lead - Highway Project Delivery

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Salary
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Recuriter: Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Emergency Duty Service Coordinator - Part time

Essex County Council
£25959.0000 - £28621.0000 per annum
Emergency Duty Service Coordinator - Part timePermanent, Part Time£25,959 to £28,621 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Employment Specialist – Connect to Work

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,841 - £47,067
Employment Specialist – Trailblazer
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Finance Officer - Debt Collection

Essex County Council
£25959.00 - £28621.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Finance Officer - Debt CollectionPermanent, Full Time£25,959 to £28,621 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner