Agenda item

HIGH RISE CLADDING UPDATE

To consider an update from representatives of Trafford Housing Trust.

 

Note the content of this update is expected to contain exempt information as defined by Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, paragraph 3 as amended by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, and is therefore not for publication.

Minutes:

The Chair brought item 10 on the agenda forward and into the public part of the meeting as the Chair felt that the Committee’s questions did not relate to any confidential information. The Chair advised the representatives of Trafford Housing Trust (THT) that if they felt that they could not answer a question without revealing confidential information to notify the Committee that was the case.

 

The representatives from THT introduced themselves and stated that the trust was committed to being as open and transparent as they could be, especially with regards to this issue. Committee Members were then given the opportunity to raise any questions.

 

The Chair noted the timeline that had been given to the Committee was not going to be met. The Chair then asked what was happening regarding re-cladding and if there had been any progress regarding the possible roll out of sprinklers in THT buildings. The THT Representatives informed the Committee that worked had started but there had been some delays.

 

The cost of the replacement was to be paid by the government through Homes England and as such THT had been diligent in capturing all the information relating to the cost of the project which had taken longer than originally thought. Work on three towers was underway and it was predicted that all five towers would be complete by summer 2020.

 

Since Grenfell THT had kept the residents in the 5 affected buildings updated on the situation within those buildings. THT had implemented a 24/7 waking watch in all five buildings which consisted of two fire wardens patrolling each building hourly. 

 

A Committee Member asked who would sign off the buildings as safe once the work was completed. The representatives of THT responded that the building would be signed off by Thomson’s who were their appointed experts to ensure that all works were completed and were safe.

 

Another Committee Member noted that a number of other providers had moved quickly to remove the ACM cladding and they asked why THT had not acted sooner. The THT representatives responded that THT had planned to remove the cladding in 2018 but they had been advised by GMFRS not to remove the cladding until it was being replaced. Other organisations had removed the cladding and were criticised for doing so as it actually made the situation worse.

 

A Committee Member then asked whether residents were clear on what they should do in case of a fire given the changes that had been made. The THT representatives responded that THT had spent £7 million on communication, engagement, and fire safety since Grenfell and they were confident that all residents knew what to do if there was a fire.

 

The Representatives from THT then told the Committee about the work that they had been doing with regard to retrofitting sprinklers in buildings. The work included taking residents to Sheffield to view a retrofitting programme that had been completed there and so they could ask questions of other residents who had been through the process.  A Committee Member asked whether THT were planning to fit sprinklers in individual flats or just communal areas. The THT representatives informed the Committee that there were a number of options for installation but the safest option was to have them installed in each home.

 

Following the update the Chair thanked the THT representatives for attending the meeting and requested that they inform the Committee if there was to be any further slippage on the cladding replacement programme.

 

RESOLVED:

1)    That the THT representatives be thanked for attending the meeting.

2)    That the update be noted by the Committee.

3)    That THT are to update the Committee if further slippage of the recladding programme occurs.