The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council has announced a ‘thorough and far-reaching’ review into the arms-length organisation that managed Grenfell Tower.
The borough has taken over direct control on an interim basis of Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO), which was responsible for maintaining the tower block when a fire killed 71 people last June.
At a meeting last September the council decided to terminate its contract with KCTMO. The council’s deputy leader and lead member for Grenfell recovery Cllr Kim Taylor Smith said trust between the TMO and its tenants had completely broken down.
The KCTMO board will continue to exist as a legal entity which means its board of directors can still be questioned by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, be prosecuted by the police if evidence of wrongdoing emerges, or be sued as part of a civil claim.
‘I am pleased today to be able to announce a wide-ranging and comprehensive review of the work of KCTMO, as we eventually regain control over the management of our houses in the wake of the tragic Grenfell fire,’ said Cllr Smith.
‘The TMO has lost the trust of residents, the council and Government, so today’s news should go some way towards restoring confidence that the management and maintenance of social housing in the borough is being thoroughly reviewed and reformed.
‘We’ve listened to residents and are taking back control of delivering services on an interim basis before we consult with all residents on a long-term solution for how they would like housing to be run in the borough.’
A consultation early this year will ask residents for their views on how they would like all their estates and homes managed, including investment, repairs and maintenance.
