Minutes:
The Service Lead Housing Assets presented the report recommending a new Fire Safety Management Policy in respect of the Council’s housing stock and requesting whether escape routes should be managed under a “managed” or “clean and clear” approach, the fire service having recommended the latter from a tenant safety and efficient use of resources perspective and for best ensuring statutory compliance as it would maintain escape routes in the safest condition and remove uncertainty about what was permitted. A light touch would be used in introducing the new approach starting with a consultation period followed by education across the 437 locations. Aside from additional work necessary from inspecting and enforcing, an inspection regime would need to be carried out methodically to effectively cover all the locations on a monthly or weekly basis.
There was an extensive list of items not permitted such as carpets, tables and mobility scooters but these were items most often found.
A “managed” approach would require clear requirements to be imposed on residents that they must follow, which in turn, would require a regular system of inspections and enforcement actions to ensure that the Council was not in breach of its obligations. A “clean and clear” policy would require at least one extra FTE employee for the enforcement stage. This was because monthly inspections would be the minimum practicable precaution to ensure escape routes were kept sterile, maintain dialogue with tenants and take enforcement when necessary. This was likely to be evaluated as a Grade 6 at a cost of £26,280. A further report would be submitted to Executive regarding the resources required for the pre-implementation stage
Some Members abstained from supporting the proposal, suggesting that a managed approach would be better. They felt that requiring all tenants to remove their property was too draconian and that many would simply leave pushchairs etc. behind their front doors which was a fire risk in itself.
The Portfolio Housing for People explained that advise had evolved over the years with the experience of both the Lakanal House fire in Southwark and, more recently, Grenfell and that the Council would be following the recommendations of the Health and Safety Executive, the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority as well as Local Governemnt Association guidance. She stated that the Council intended to improve genuine communal area, such as at Rennes House, and would also seek to encourage larger families in communal flats to move to larger houses. She remarked that mobility scooters left in communal areas were both a physical impediment as well as being likely to exacerbate problems of smoke inhalation should a fire occur. New builds incorporated facilities for those with scooters.
Responding to a Member, the Director explained the responsibilities of the Council and the need to ensure that that it was not in breach of its statutory duty and was meeting relevant legislation and accompanying guidance material.
People - Scrutiny Committee supported the report and requested Executive to:-
(1) recommend Council adopts a new Fire Safety Management Policy meaning that designated escape routes and alternative routes which could be used for escape should be maintained free from all obstacles in order to secure tenant safety and the Council’s compliance with statutory duties;
(2) note that the approach to implementing the policy would be phased over time to include awareness raising, consultation on storage requirements and fire safety education; and
(3) recommend Council approves the additional funding required to implement the adopted option for the management of the Council’s Housing Stocks, those costs to be met from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), as set out in the report.