The Council Notes:

•   The terrible and avoidable loss of life in the Grenfell Tower Fire on 14th June 2017 – our thoughts are with the families and friends of those that died in the horrific fire.  Our thoughts are also with the survivors who have been traumatised and left homeless as a result of this tragic event.

•   We also note the understandable concerns about fire safety raised by residents in high rise tower blocks around the country. The Council believes that every resident, regardless of type of tenure, should, as a matter of right, feel safe and secure in their own home.

Council therefore calls on the Government:

•   To abandon the “one in, two out” rule (introduced by the Coalition Government) for regulations.

•   To set up a programme to have Sprinkler Systems fitted in all High Rise Flats in the Country (the case for sprinklers has been made; there haven’t been any fire deaths in buildings where sprinklers have been fitted).

•   To ensure that in the future any cladding fitted to High Rise Flats should be of high quality Fire-Resistant Material approved by the Fire Service to a uniformed national standard.

•   To ensure that the Fire Service should have overall responsibility for fire safety for High rise Flats, which includes the flats, corridors, public spaces, fire alarm, safety advice to tenants; and the Fire Service should provide Fire Safety Assurance for Residential High Rise Flats.  All High Rise Blocks should be inspected by the Fire Service at least once every two years and inspected following a major refurbishment.  (Fire Service are the experts, they are trusted and respected by the public and are public servants rather than private fire assessors who are out to make a profit).

•   That New High Rise Flats should be regulated to ensure they are built to include all of the above, and in addition they should be built with at least two Stairwells within the building.

•   Should urgently review the fire regulation Orders and fully fund the Fire Service to re-enable planning and building control applications to be reviewed by the Fire Safety Service on a risk- assessed basis.

•   Will need to recognise that extra Government financial resources will need to be made available to Fire & Rescue Services to enable them to provide for the necessary workload that this will entail.

It was moved and seconded that:

“The Council Notes:

•   The terrible and avoidable loss of life in the Grenfell Tower Fire on 14 June 2017 – our thoughts are with the families and friends of those that died in the horrific fire. Our thoughts are also with the survivors who have been traumatised and left homeless as a result of this tragic event.

•   We also note the understandable concerns about fire safety raised by residents in high rise tower blocks around the country. The Council believes that every resident, regardless of type of tenure, should, as a matter of right, feel safe and secure in their own home.

Council therefore calls on the Government:

•   To abandon the “one in, two out” rule (introduced by the Coalition Government) for regulations.

•   To set up a programme to have Sprinkler Systems fitted in all High Rise Flats in the Country (the case for sprinklers has been made; there haven’t been any fire deaths in buildings where sprinklers have been fitted).

•   To ensure that in the future any cladding fitted to High Rise Flats should be of high quality Fire-Resistant Material approved by the Fire Service to a uniformed national standard.

•   To ensure that the Fire Service should have overall responsibility for fire safety for High rise Flats, which includes the flats, corridors, public spaces, fire alarm, safety advice to tenants; and the Fire Service should provide Fire Safety Assurance for Residential High Rise Flats.  All High Rise Blocks should be inspected by the Fire Service at least once every two years and inspected following a major refurbishment.  (Fire Service are the experts, they are trusted and respected by the public and are public servants rather than private fire assessors who are out to make a profit).

•   That New High Rise Flats should be regulated to ensure they are built to include all of the above, and in addition they should be built with at least two Stairwells within the building.

•   Should urgently review the fire regulation Orders and fully fund the Fire Service to re-enable planning and building control applications to be reviewed by the Fire Safety Service on a risk-assessed basis.

•   Will need to recognise that extra Government financial resources will need to be made available to Fire and Rescue Services to enable them to provide for the necessary workload that this will entail.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

“The Council is deeply saddened by the terrible and avoidable loss of life in the Grenfell Tower Fire on 14 June 2017. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those that died in the horrific fire. Our thoughts are also with the survivors who have been traumatised and left homeless as a result of this tragic event.

We also note the understandable concerns about fire safety raised by residents in high rise tower blocks around the country.

The Council believes that every resident, regardless of type of tenure, should, as a matter of right, feel safe and secure in their own home.

The Council is aware of the upcoming inquiry into the tragedy and resolves to implement, in full, the recommendations made.

Council therefore calls on the Government:

•   To ensure that fire regulations are of the highest standard and take account of all the relevant evidence and best practice.

•   To ensure local authorities and the Fire and Rescue services are given adequate financial resources following the outcome of the inquiry.”

Following a debate on the matter, the amendment was agreed by general consent and the substantive Motion was consequently declared carried.

RESOLVED: That the Council is deeply saddened by the terrible and avoidable loss of life in the Grenfell Tower Fire on 14 June 2017. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those that died in the horrific fire.  Our thoughts are also with the survivors who have been traumatised and left homeless as a result of this tragic event.

We also note the understandable concerns about fire safety raised by residents in high rise tower blocks around the country.

The Council believes that every resident, regardless of type of tenure, should, as a matter of right, feel safe and secure in their own home.

The Council is aware of the upcoming inquiry into the tragedy and resolves to implement, in full, the recommendations made.

Council therefore calls on the Government:

•   To ensure that fire regulations are of the highest standard and take account of all the relevant evidence and best practice.

•   To ensure local authorities and the Fire and Rescue services are given adequate financial resources following the outcome of the inquiry.