Issue - meetings

Arising from a report of the Head of Housing and Property Services the  Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that the revised Fire Risk in Communal Areas policy be approved.

Arising from a * report of the Head of Housing and Property Services the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that the revised Fire Risk in Communal Areas policy be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report stating that the review of the policy reflected changes in good practice and legislation and provided a framework for staff which set out how they were to manage fire risk in communal areas.

Consideration was given to obstructions placed in communal areas and clear guidance on the storage of mobility scooters.

RESOLVED that the revised policy be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr Mrs M E Squires)

Note: - *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

To receive a report from the Housing Services Manager reviewing the Fire Risk in Communal Areas Policy.

The Group had before it a report * from the Housing Services Manager reviewing the Fire Risk in Communal Areas Policy. The officer outlined the contents of the report explaining that the review of this policy reflected changes in good practice and legislation.  It provided a framework for staff which set out how they were to manage fire risk in communal areas. The updated policy set out how the Council would manage fire risks in communal areas within its housing stock.  It identified how it would monitor communal areas so that they were kept free from obstructions and hazards to protect the health and safety of all users of its buildings. The policy had been amended to provide more clarity on existing clauses relating to risk assessments, preventative measures, communal inspections and maintenance of communal areas.  

The Officer reminded Members that this was a very important policy as fire killed. It was important that rules were laid down in order that everyone knew what was and what wasn’t allowed and what could be done to reduce the risk of fire.  Following a fire that had occurred at a block of flats in Southwark the Regulator found failings in measures that had been put in place to stop the spread of fire. Tenants did not always appreciate that items left in hallways and communal areas constituted a risk but if fire took hold these items could become dangerous by causing smoke or an obstruction to the Fire Service.

Discussion took place regading:

·         Mobility scooters and the fact that if there was no appropriate storage for them then it may be recommended that the tenant move to more suitable accommodation;

·         An ongoing review of spare land near accommodation and whether it could be used for storage;

·         How officers dealt with toys that were left lying around at properties and the possibility of producing a poster to try and prevent this;

·         Building Repairs Operatives and Estate Caretakers and the role they took in reporting risk.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that the revised Fire Risk in Communal Areas policy be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr Mrs H Bainbridge, seconded by Cllr Mrs E M Andrews)

Note: * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed minutes.