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The Committee received and considered the report from Richard Oliver, Asset Manager, Great Yarmouth Norse, which detailed our response to the Department for Communities & Local Government's request to check fire safety, as well as addressing initial enquiries regarding GYBC's residential asset portfolio, following the recent devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in Kensington, London which raised the concern of the risk of fire to our tenants.
Richard Oliver reported that no recommendations were currently being made; however, as GYN sought to better understand the causes and risks of fire in GYBC properties, recommendations might be included as part of any future Asset management Strategy.
The Chairman asked if all Council owned flats contained smoke alarms. Mr Oliver reported that all flats contained fire alarms within the flats, but not within the communal areas.
A Member was concerned regarding the new cladding on the outside of Havenbridge House, which looked similar to that which had been installed on Grenfell Tower, as a number of local residents worked in the building. The Chairman reported that this was the responsibility of the owners of the building, and not the Council, but that he would ask Building Control and report back to the Member.
A Member raised concerns regarding cavity walls in kitchens of flats built in the 1970's, for example, Magnolia Green and Pine Green. The cavity walls behind where the cookers had once stood had not been sealed with fire resistant materials when they had been refitted which could lead to a "chimney effect" from one flat to another if a fire broke out. The Member was also concerned with the provision of fire doors in the flatted areas of Pine Green. Mr Oliver agreed to look into these concerns and report back to the Member concerned.
RESOLVED:
That the Committee note the report.