Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director Resources and Governance

The Cabinet Member with the Health and Housing Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Executive Director of Resources and Governance for Cabinet Members to approve the Housing Service Fire Safety Policy for Purpose-Built Blocks of Flats, Sheltered and Extra Care Accommodation 2025-2030.

The report clarified that since the existing Housing Services Fire Safety Policy 2022-2027 was approved by Cabinet on the 6 December 2022, work has been ongoing to develop a fire safety policy for Council owned purpose-built blocks of flats. It was explained that rather than a separate policy for Members to consider, a single policy covering all Council owned accommodation with communal areas has been developed, updated with the latest legislation and best practice guidance.

The Housing Services Fire Safety Policy for Purpose-Built Blocks of Flats, Sheltered and Extra Care Accommodation 2025-2030 demonstrated how the Council will provide staff, residents, visitors and partner organisations in these types of accommodation with clear guidelines as to how to prevent fires and what action to take in the event of a fire to protect themselves and others.

The report explained that the Tenant Panel had been consulted on the draft policy and they have given their full support. The report was considered by the Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee on the 18 June 2025 who agreed its onward submission to Cabinet for consideration.

RESOLVED - (a) Consider the contents of this report, and

(b) Approve the Housing Services Fire Safety Policy for Purpose-Built Blocks of Flats, Sheltered and Extra Care Accommodation 2025-2030 at Appendix 1.

REASON - (a) Darlington Borough Council has a duty to comply with fire safety legislation.

(b) The Social Housing Regulator’s Consumer Standards places a duty on social housing landlords to provide their tenants with quality, safe accommodation.

(c) The adoption of a formal Fire Safety Policy is one of the ways to demonstrate how we will achieve both compliance with the legislation and the Social Housing Regulator’s Consumer Standards