Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director -  Housing and Revenues

The Assistant Director Housing and Revenues submitted a report (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the draft Housing Services Fire Safety Policy for Purpose-Built Blocks of Flats, Sheltered and Extra Care Accommodation 2025-2030 (also previously circulated) prior to its consideration by Cabinet on 8 July 2025.

The submitted report stated that this Scrutiny Committee had considered the existing Housing Services Fire Safety Policy 2022-2027 on 2 November 2022 prior to approval by Cabinet on 6  December 2022; that this policy covered the fire safety arrangements for Council owned sheltered and extra care accommodation; and that work had been ongoing in developing a policy for Council owned purpose-built blocks of flats.

It was reported that a single policy covering all Council owned accommodation with communal areas had been developed and updated with the latest legislation and best practice guidance; the draft policy sets out how the Council would provide staff, residents, visitors and partner organisations with clear guidelines as to how to prevent fires and actions to take in the event of a fire to protect themselves and others.

 The submitted report provided details of the areas covered in the policy; and consultation had been undertaken with the Tenants Panel who were in support of the draft policy.

Members sought clarification regarding the Council's responsibility for the storage of flammable materials and equipment by residents. Members were advised that the tenancy agreements detailed what could and could not be stored, outlined tenants responsibility in relation to allowing access to their property and that enforcement action could be taken by the Council. Members were informed that any hoarding issues could be identified through a range of Council activities including day to day repairs, tenancy audit visits and gas safety checks; and in relation to hoarding, all housing staff received basic awareness training and staff worked closely with tenants and other services for any breaches in contract.

Discussion ensued regarding smoke detectors with Members noting that all new tenants received fire safety checks and all properties had hard wired smoke detectors; and following a question regarding the move towards a ‘stay put’ evacuation policy Members were informed of the work being undertaken to introduce this.Members were advised that this policy was already in place for sheltered and extra care accommodation.

RESOLVED – That Members support the onward submission of the draft Housing Services Fire Safety Policy for Purpose-Built Blocks of Flats, Sheltered and Extra Care Accommodation 2025-2030 to Cabinet.