Agenda item

Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Craig Parkin, Deputy Chief Fire Officer presented the report updating Members with developments in relation to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the publication of the Governments response to recommendations. He highlighted the following points:

(a)  Of the 47 recommendations made by the Phase One report the Service has completed 24. For many of the outstanding actions the Service is waiting for national changes to take place before  enacting. There is lots of information still being fed back at a national level and guidance being issued;

(b)  It is likely that the actions taken by the Service in response to the Inquiry will be a focus of the upcoming Inspection. The Service has a detailed action plan in place for outstanding actions, based on the current guidance, this may change through legislation and/or national guidance;

(c)  The recommendations look at safety measures in buildings as well as response to an incident. Fire Services have no power to enter domestic properties, with only an ability to enter communal parts of buildings and so refurbishments and buildings of multiple occupancy may present challenges. The Joint Audit and Inspection Team was established between the NFRS  and Nottingham City Council to offer advice and support to responsible persons of buildings with identified issues;

(d)  Following receipt of a Government grant specialist equipment has been purchased to aid in safer evacuations. These include smoke hoods and are now available on all frontline appliances. Remaining funds from the grant will be used for additional resources to aid controlled evacuations from high rise buildings;

(e)  Further training has been given to control room operators to enable them to give effective fire survival guidance to anyone involved in a fire. Modifications to buildings of multiple occupancy buildings increases the difficulty in this, however fire crews attend high risk buildings to ensure that they are familiar with the site ;

(f)  The Fire Safety Act 2021 has now gained royal ascent, this will give further remit to fire safety inspections, for example, front doors, balconies and external cladding.

During discussion and following questions from Members the following additional information was highlighted:

(g)  Vulnerable buildings have been identified through joint work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Home Office. The Fire Safety Act 2021 will grant the Service more power around enforcement;

(h)  The Fire Authority is not a statutory consultee for planning applications. Layouts of buildings are being altered through the planning process and the Fire Authority may be unaware of them, this can cause issues when attending an incident and knowledge of building layout is outdated due to these changes. When the Fire Service is consulted advice given does not have to be taken. This is an issue that is being pushed nationally through the National Fire Chiefs Council;

(i)  Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service are working hard to improve its prevention and protection offer focusing on a holistic approach. The upcoming inspection will check the work being done and assurance can be given that at a local level the service is learning;

Resolved to

(1)  Note the actions being taken by the Service in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations;

(2)  Note the Content of the report; and

(3)  Agree to receive further updates as the Service concludes the outstanding actions.