Minutes:
Rearranged Tenant Scrutiny Board Meeting now 23 September 2022.
Please accept my apologies I am unable to attend the meeting but have prepared questions which hopefully can be responded to during the meeting.
The Creation of a ‘Golden Thread’
The Government has confirmed that the “Golden Thread of compliance with Building Safety Regulations must be captured and maintained digitally for the entire lifecycle of the building” If the TSM’s are intended to improve Building Safety and strengthen Social Housing Tenants rights to better quality and safer homes access to relevant information to support compliance must be provided to them. Is there going to be investment in improved software to accommodate evidence of compliance, continually updated and following the lifecycle of a building as it not only needs to meet the increased scrutiny of the Housing Ombudsman and of the Regulator but also Residents, Emergency services, contractors etc who at times may be trying to obtain necessary data/documents answers to queries under pressure. How is Leeds addressing the challenge of resourcing all the additional financial and administrative burden of data management and access to this information.
We have a dedicated project team assigned to scoping the requirements of the ‘golden thread’, who will investigate a digital IT solution that will enable the necessary people to access data about the buildings when they need it (including residents). The project team will look into whether the Council can produce something internally as well as looking at external companies to produce an IT solution.
Electrical Safety in High Rise Buildings (Electrical Safety Bill still only at Committee stage)
BS Maintaining Building Safety (satisfaction that the Home is well maintained and safe to live in – To be Safe in Your Home –( this links to TSM’ s - Fire/Building Safety, Transparency, Engagement, Accountability, Repairs/Maintenance, Complaints)
*Electrical Safety It is astonishing that even after 2009 Lakenal House 2016 Shepherds Court to name just two and now a full five years on after the tragedy of Grenfell Towers all with loss of lives and all with links to electrical sources of ignition that Social Housing Residents in High Rise Buildings are still having to wait for an Act to be passed to ensure that the deficiencies of existing regulations are addressed and there is coherence, consistency and monitoring of electrical safety management in High Rise Buildings. Both the Fire Service and the Electrical Profession have repeatedly voiced that “one of the most important Fire/Harm Reduction preventative actions that can be taken is by improved electrical safety” Dame Judith Hackett had in her Enquiry into Grenfell and again in February 2022 called for a complete overhaul of managing electrical systems in High Rise Buildings and she had also appealed for “action now” rather than wait for regulations.
Actions to stop the spread of fire is given prominence (sprinkler systems/compartmentation etc) but preventative measures to stop them in the first place is vital too.
How is Leeds responding/ acting upon this?
Electrical Service Manager, Russell Brown:
We test, inspect, maintain and repair in line in line with current British standards and regulatory statute as appropriate whilst also maintaining robust records.
We currently have:
• A capital investment programmes for High Rise building Electrical Infrastructures, Lifts, Controlled door entry systems, CCTV, Sprinklers ad more….. to continually drive and improve safety and compliance to legislative requirements.
• Maintenance regimes – We service and maintain Electrical infrastructures to current legislation and guidance both domestically and communally.
• Repairs – A robust 24 Hr repair service and service team dedicated to assuring continued safety for all.
• Stock Condition –a stock condition department who undertake assessments to our assets
• Housing Management –dedicated teams who manage residents needs and wellbeing
• Voids Team – who assure that any property is fit for human habitation before let.
• Adaptations team – who assure residents can live safely where specialist needs are required
All information is collated and stored on LCC software systems and Directorates/Service teams liaise where necessary. At this stage we are operating in line with all legislative safety standards and direct resident needs.
Thank you C . Sue Easton (TSB member)