William Eichler 25 September 2024

Council criticised for fire risk assessment failings

Council criticised for fire risk assessment failings  image
Image: Yau Ming Low / Shutterstock.com.

Harlow Council has been criticised by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) for failing to carry out thousands of fire risk assessments.

An investigation by the RSH found that the council had carried out fire risk assessments for only 20% of its 9,100 social housing homes.

The regulator also found that the council had over 500 high risk fire safety remedial actions and a further 1,500 medium risk actions overdue.

RSH has given the landlord a C3 grade, which means there are serious failings and it needs to make significant improvements.

Kate Dodsworth, chief of Regulatory Engagement at RSH, said: ‘It is unacceptable that Harlow Council has failed to meet fire safety requirements. Providing safe, decent homes for tenants begins with robust data, and this must include fire risk assessments for every home that needs one.’

Council leader Dan Swords commented: 'On nearly every tenant satisfaction measure Harlow performed well, although we are taking clear steps to drive improvement across the board. However, on one measure – the number of fire risk assessments that had been carried out in our flat blocks – we performed very badly. As a result of this shortcoming, the Regulator has awarded Harlow, like many other councils, a C3 grading. This does not mean Harlow’s flat blocks are unsafe, there is no ACM (Grenfell style-cladding) or anything of the like and tenants should be reassured of that.

'This historic issue has not been dealt with well or quickly enough by the council. For several years, we have not carried out enough fire risk assessments and that is why this moment will be a very clear turning point.

'We are already working closely with the Regulator to make specific improvements against these new requirements, and we are making rapid progress to that effect.'

For more on this story visit The MJ (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Administrative Officer to join our busy, friendly team, supporting Children and Young People’s Services. 1 x Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Play Worker

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Play Worker Grade 1 £24,796 pro rata Part Time - 6.25 hour per week, Monday – Friday
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner