William Eichler 21 February 2024

Rowley: Councils must do more to improve high-rise safety

Rowley: Councils must do more to improve high-rise safety  image
Image: Alex Danila / Shutterstock.com.

Housing minister Lee Rowley has called on local authorities to do more to tackle building owners who fail to fix high-rise buildings in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy.

The minister convened a round table of council chief executives to discuss how they are using the £8m the Government provided councils to boost enforcement teams.

He acknowledged that councils and fire and rescue services had played a ‘crucial role’ in ensuring dangerous buildings get fixed, but stressed more needed to be done.

‘Lots of councils are already doing great work in this area but all councils need to take the appropriate action to protect residents and make sure those responsible for making homes safe do so without any further delay.’

Mr Rowley added: ‘The warning to owners refusing fix their buildings is clear: get on with remediation or action will be taken against you.’

A spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA) said: 'The LGA are proud to have led this work by hosting the Joint Inspection Team. Consisting of fire engineers, building control specialists and environmental health inspectors, the team has supported councils in taking enforcement action in around 100 high rise buildings with unsafe cladding.

'The team are doing important work to help protect residents in buildings across the country. It’s important now that the Government provide them with the long term funding they need to continue this vitally important work into the future.'

Black hole spending review image

Black hole spending review

Jonathan Werran, chief executive of Localis, reflects on what the Spending Review means for local government.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Estates Officer - Uttlesford District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £15.0000 per hour
Estates OfficerFull-Time, Temporary*37 Hours per Week£15 per Hour Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Financial Accountant

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Help us get the details right - so we can deliver what matters most.As a Financial Accountant, you'll play a key role in keeping our finances sound an England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Estates Surveyor

North Yorkshire Council
£37,035 - £45,718 per annum
If you are a member of RICS, looking for you next challenge and have experience as a quantity surveyor, we would love to hear from you! Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Planning Solicitor

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
Grade 8, £41,511 up to £45,718 per annum pro rata (Pay award pending)
This role requires the expertise of a seasoned planning lawyer Hinckley, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council

Principal Information Governance Officer

Derby City Council
H £36,124 - £38,626 per year
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Information Governance team at Derby City Council. Derby, Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derby City Council
Linkedin Banner