Agenda item

To receive any questions by Members to Cabinet Members submitted in accordance with the Procedure Note.

The Mayor reported that five questions had been submitted for response by the Cabinet.

(1)          Cr. M.J. Roberts asked a question of the Health and Housing Portfolio Holder regarding the Council’s initial assessment of the need for additional fire prevention measures for blocks of four storeys and over in the Borough.

In response, Cr. Hurst stated that joint inspections had been carried out on two out of the four blocks of flats which had been identified as high risk under the definition provided by the Department of Communities and Local Government (i.e. blocks of flats in excess of five storeys or 18 metres).  The remaining had been scheduled for the following week.  The Council had decided that all four and five storey residential blocks would be prioritised, using the risk assessment information provided by the Borough’s registered providers.  Programmed inspections would be made, the timing of which was dependent on the workload of the fire authority.

Fire safety inspection, advice and education fell within the remit of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Council would be guided by them in respect of the Council’s role.  It exemplified the strength of the Council’s partnership with the Service and the good track record of the joint response to issues.

(2)          Cr. A.H. Crawford asked a question of the Health and Housing Portfolio Holder regarding the results of fire risk assessments and any recommendations of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service with respect to the blocks of offices which had been converted to residential flats in the Borough and how this information was being communicated to residents concerned, such as at Alexander House and Stafford House in Station Road, Aldershot.

In response, Cr. Hurst confirmed that fire risk assessments had been carried out at both Alexander House and Stafford House in April 2017.  The landlord, Accent Housing, had provided copies of these to the Council.  Whilst the risks identified in those inspections had been minimal, officers (including housing and building control officers), the fire officer and a representative of the Accent Group had carried out a joint inspection earlier that day.

Cr. Hurst reported that both the buildings were safe and did not pose any immediate fire risk to residents and this had been confirmed by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.  There were some minor issues around fire safety signage and this was being addressed.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service had advised the Leader of the Council that Rushmoor had been the first local authority in Hampshire to request a joint inspection.  The Service had been impressed with the speed with which Rushmoor had initiated and responded to the request to carry out these assessments.

In response to a supplementary question about advising residents, Cr. Hurst confirmed that when the report was published, it would be communicated to the residents of the buildings concerned.

(3)          Cr. Jennifer Evans asked a question of the Health and Housing Portfolio Holder regarding when the next emergency planning exercise would be carried out in Rushmoor and asked if the organisers could focus this on a fire in a multi-storey residential block of flats.

In response, Cr. Hurst advised that there was currently no date for the next emergency planning exercise, although Hampshire County Council was currently in the process of developing a Hampshire-wide event to look at current issues.  Rushmoor would be part of that event.  In addition, Members were advised that the Council was in regular contact with other districts and the County Council to share knowledge and ensure that the response from the emergency services and local authorities was effective and timely in the event of an emergency taking place. 

Cr. Hurst stated that, at a national level, there was Resilience Direct, which was a national secure online hub that allowed authorities to share resilience information, work together and respond effectively.  Rushmoor was part of this network and used it to support its local work.

(4)          Cr. M.J. Roberts asked a question of the Health and Housing Portfolio Holder about a review of risk strategy by the Council.

In response, Cr. Hurst stated that Rushmoor had a set of risk management policies which ensured safety and continuity at the Council’s premises.  These were regularly reviewed to take account of advice, guidance and regulations.  Regular reports were provided by the Council’s health and safety adviser to identify issues and the action being taken.

In relation to fire safety in registered providers’ premises, it was noted that the Council was working closely with Hampshire Fire and Rescue and would act on guidance from the Service.  The Council would be holding registered providers to account, working with the Homes and Communities Agency for the properties they owned.  All registered providers had received communication from the Homes and Communities Agency about obligations to comply with part 1.2b of the Regulations Home Standard (Health and Safety).  This issue could be an area to be considered by a policy and review panel. 

(5)          Cr. M.J. Roberts asked a question of the Leader of the Council about representations to be made by the Council via the Local Government Association for an immediate suspension of further austerity cuts for local government.

In response, Cr. D.E. Clifford stated that councils across the country were urging the suspension of further austerity cuts and advised of the work being undertaken by the Local Government Association in relation to this issue.