Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director – Housing and Revenues

The Assistant Director Housing and Revenue submitted a report (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the draft Housing Services Fire Safety Policy 2022-2027 (also previously circulated) prior to its consideration by Cabinet on 6 December 2022.

It was reported that Darlington Borough Council provides 355 homes for local residents in 7 sheltered housing schemes and 3 extra care schemes; and the policy set out how the Council would provide staff, residents, visitors and partner organisations in the schemes with clear guidelines as to how to prevent fires and actions to take in the event of a fire.

The submitted report provided details of the areas covered in the policy; and the Home Standard, one of the four statutory consumer standards set by the Regulator of Social Housing, set expectations for the Council to meet statutory requirements including fire safety legislation.

The report made reference to the consultation undertaken with the Tenants Panel in September 2022; Members were informed that the panel supported the proposed policy; and examples of the panels comments were outlined.

RESOLVED – That Members support the onward submission of the draft Housing Services Fire Safety Policy 2022-2027 to Cabinet.