The Government yesterday announced it will be intervening in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) following the Grenfell Tower disaster.
In a written statement, communities secretary Sajid Javid said the scale of the recovery effort needed on the Lancaster West estate ‘cannot be underestimated’ and so a long-term Recovery Taskforce was required.
Following an agreement with RBKC, the remit of the taskforce would be to provide advice, and practical and strategic support to the council, Mr Javid said.
‘The Recovery Taskforce will report to me directly, and will be made up of experienced and senior people with a track record in delivery, including from local government,’ he said.
‘The Recovery Taskforce will consider all aspects of the recovery operation but will have a special focus on housing, regeneration and community engagement,’ Mr Javid continued.
‘It will also consider the governance of the council and the way that it operates to ensure it is able to provide effective leadership through trying and difficult circumstances.’
The details of the chair and membership of the Recovery Taskforce will be released at a later date.
The announcement was made shortly after the communities secretary warned councils were facing a ‘looming crisis in confidence’ in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.