Issue - meetings

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Councillor O’Sullivan, Chair of the Housing Scrutiny Committee, presented the report, highlighting a number of the committee’s recommendations including the development of evacuation plans for vulnerable residents, reviewing the feasibility of retrofitting sprinkler systems and a system for residents to report fire safety concerns in an open and transparent way. 

Councillor Ward thanked Councillor O’Sullivan and all the members of the committee for their work and advised that the Council will look very closely at all the recommendations.  Councillor Ward noted that the fourth recommendation, to provide a dedicated email address for residents to report fire safety concerns was now in place and working very effectively.  Councillor Ward called on the Secretary of State to assist all local authorities with the costs of all new fire safety requirements, including retrofitting sprinkler systems.

Councillor Russell requested that the Executive consider an additional recommendation to regularly update fire risk assessments.  Councillor Ward agreed this would be considered alongside the committee’s recommendations.

Councillor Watts noted the Executive’s thanks to the Housing Scrutiny Committee for all their work on the review.

RESOLVED:

2.1       That the report of the Housing Scrutiny Committee be received.

2.2       That the Executive Member’s response be reported to a future meeting of the Executive, including having due regard to any relevant implications of the Housing Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations.

2.3       That the Executive Member’s response will also include a response to the
            additional request that fire risk assessments be regularly updated.

Reason for decision – to allow receive the scrutiny committee’s recommendations.

Other options considered – none other than as specified in the report.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.