MQ answers Sept 19

Silkstream flooding [1]

Question No: 2019/17624

Andrew Dismore

Last year you awarded £324,000 for the Silkstream Valley Parks regeneration project. Please provide an update on this work, specifically how has it been used to tackle ongoing flooding from the Silk Stream, which is poorly maintained and frequently blocked by flytipping. Has the frequency of flooding incidents decreased?

Silkstream flooding [1]

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

The Environment Agency is ultimately responsible for managing on main rivers such as the Silk Stream. However, I have supported the Silkstream Valley Parks regeneration project which is ongoing and due to be completed by Spring 2020. Improvements to the Silk Stream will provide 3,500m3 of new flood storage including a large wetland area, stream-side beaches and a skate park that is designed to collect water to avoid flooding. Additional measures, such as the removal of concrete weirs have also been implemented. These are all proven methods for reducing flood events.

To determine whether the project decreases the frequency of flooding, the Environment Agency will undertake a more detailed assessment to determine the wider impact of these measures on flooding after the project has been completed.

Other improvements to the parks include improving access to the river, planting aquatic plants and 300 trees. These should help reduce the incidences of fly-tipping, which the council and the Environment Agency are ultimately responsible for tackling, as well as other anti-social behaviour, by encouraging more use of the parks by the local community.

Silkstream flooding [2]

Question No: 2019/17625

Andrew Dismore

What further work will you be undertaking to reduce flooding from the Silkstream?

Silkstream flooding [2]

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

I am already supporting the Silk Stream Valley Parks regeneration project which is being undertaken by Barnet Council (see Mayor’s Question 2019/17624). This project is providing flood risk management measures, which are already proving to be successful. In addition to this, the Environment Agency, who are the organisation responsible for managing flood risk from rivers, are working with Barnet on the Silk Stream to assess flood risk in Colindeep Lane, Colindale. This assessment will provide recommendations for further flood risk reduction measures in the area and is due to be complete early autumn.

Preliminary results from the assessment suggest a range of small flood risk interventions – which includes natural flood management measures such as wetlands and sustainable drainage – will be more effective rather than a single, large scale flood scheme.

Silkstream flooding [4]

Question No: 2019/17626

Andrew Dismore

Your current Greener City Fund round specifically mentions sustainable drainage improvements as potentially receiving funding. Will you be encouraging affected residents near the Silk Stream and in Colindale to apply?

Silkstream flooding [4]

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

The third round of Community Green Space Grants, part of my Greener City Fund, are open for applications until 30 September. I would welcome an application from community groups in Colindale, or from Barnet Council, for any suitable projects.

My Community Green Space Grants offer between £5,000 and £50,000 to improve and create green spaces. These grants can support a range of different projects including sustainable drainage schemes, improvements to parks, creating community gardens and greening school playgrounds. These grants have supported over 130 projects to date, including 10 sustainable drainage projects. Details of how to apply can be found at: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/parks-green-spaces-and-biodiversity/greener-city-fund/community-grants.

I have also recently published a guide to help communities run their own depaving projects. It illustrates how to set up projects that can slow the flow of rainfall to sewers and waterways and reduce flood risk. This guide can be found at: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/grey_to_green_guide.pdf.

Northern Line signal failures

Question No: 2019/17627

Andrew Dismore

How many times have there been signal failures per month on the Northern line for each month of 2019? What have been the causes of them, and how do you plan to reduce instances of signal failure?

Northern Line signal failures

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

There have been 77 signal failures on the Northern line in 2019 (up to 02 September 2019). The figures for each month are:

  • January – 7
  • February – 12
  • March – 10
  • April – 9
  • May – 11
  • June – 7
  • July – 17
  • August – 4

The vast majority of these signal failures were for short durations, and Transport for London (TfL) worked to resolve the issues as quickly as possible, to ensure that Londoners could get to their destinations. A number of these failures were caused by points and crossings and the axel counting system (which identifies when a train has entered and left a specific area).

Plans to address these issues are underway. More robust parts are being introduced at points and crossings on the Northern line, as part of a wider track improvement programme across the Northern, Jubilee and Piccadilly lines. TfL has also introduced monitoring equipment that detects deterioration of track, so that mitigation work can be carried out early before signal failures take place.

Local 20 mph zones

Question No: 2019/17628

Andrew Dismore

What funding is available via TfL to make ward-wide 20 mph zones?

Local 20 mph zones

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

To achieve Vision Zero, we must dramatically reduce both the likelihood and severity of casualties. Reducing speeds, including to 20 mph in appropriate areas, is vital to reducing road danger and encouraging more people to walk, cycle and use public transport.

Ward-wide 20mph zones would be implemented by London’s boroughs. The boroughs are able to deliver ward-wide 20 mph zones using Transport for London’s (TfL’s) ‘Corridors neighbourhoods and supporting measures’ funding stream. £63m is allocated to this fund annually, which is apportioned to the boroughs using an agreed formula. In addition, boroughs would be able to include ward-wide 20 mph zones within their ‘Liveable Neighbourhood’ schemes. Boroughs bid for funding through the Liveable Neighbourhood programme. The second phase of funding for this was announced in March 2019, totalling £53m, on top of the £33m announced in 2017.

TfL is encouraging boroughs to use these funding streams through both Local Implementation Plan guidance and individual engagement, and is supporting boroughs to deliver additional and more effective 20mph limits through the soon-to-be-published Lower Speeds Toolkit and by providing necessary data.

Evaluation of new firefighting equipment

Question No: 2019/17629

Andrew Dismore

The under-trial drone, PPV ventilation, and Cobra lance showed their worth at the 15 pump fire in Westbourne Grove on 12th August. When will we see the outcome of the evaluation and when will see procurement of this equipment for wider availability?

Evaluation of new firefighting equipment

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

The drone trial, using hired drones, has enabled London Fire Brigade (LFB) to understand how to use the drones most effectively as well as how many and what type of drones could be needed in the future. LFB currently has two drones in service. An outcome and future recommendations paper will be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Safety and Assurance in October 2019.

The LFB Specialist Entry Recovery Team (SERT) currently use both Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) and Ultra High Pressure Lance (UHPL) technology at incidents. The Operational Policy team has developed proposals that recommend a trial conducted over three phases which, if successful, could lead to the widespread introduction into service on frontline appliances. Alternatives to UHPL technology, such as fog nails, are also being considered, and the evidence from this work will be considered alongside the evaluation of the PPV and UHPL trials in 2020.

Government target for remediating buildings with ACM cladding (1)

Question No: 2019/17630

Andrew Dismore

On 18 July, James Brokenshire MP, who was secretary of state at MHCLG at the time, said that all social sector buildings with ACM cladding should be fixed by Christmas 2019. How many buildings will the GLA’s administration of the social sector cladding remediation fund have to cover between 12 September 2019 and December 31 2019, that have not already been allocated funding, in order to meet this target?

Government target for remediating buildings with ACM cladding (1)

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

Based on the estimated dates of completion from social landlords, this commitment will not be met. It was an unrealistic and irresponsible deadline.

Government target for remediating buildings with ACM cladding (2)

Question No: 2019/17631

Andrew Dismore

On 18 July, James Brokenshire MP, who was secretary of state at MHCLG at the time, said that all social sector buildings with ACM cladding should be fixed by Christmas 2019. How many dwellings are contained in buildings that the GLA’s administration of the social sector cladding remediation fund have to cover between 12 September 2019 and December 31 2019, that have not already been allocated funding?

Government target for remediating buildings with ACM cladding (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

Based on the estimated dates of completion from social landlords, this commitment will not be met. It was an unrealistic and irresponsible deadline.

Government target for remediating buildings with ACM cladding (3)

Question No: 2019/17632

Andrew Dismore

On 18 July, James Brokenshire MP, who was secretary of state at MHCLG at the time, said that all private sector buildings with ACM cladding should be fixed by June 2020. How many buildings will the GLA’s administration of the private sector cladding remediation fund have to cover from 12 September 2019 to June 30 2020, that have not already been allocated funding, in order to meet this target?

Government target for remediating buildings with ACM cladding (3)

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

The Private Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund will open for applications later this month. The June 2020 commitment to remediate all buildings was irresponsible and unrealistic – the Government will fail to meet its own deadline.

Supply chain pressures, delays in the Government creating this fund, Brexit, the complexity of the fund process as designed by MHCLG, and the fundamental fact that buildings owners control the pace of remediation, means this deadline is entirely unachievable.

Government target for remediating buildings with ACM cladding (4)

Question No: 2019/17633

Andrew Dismore

On 18 July, James Brokenshire MP, who was secretary of state at MHCLG at the time, said that all private sector buildings with ACM cladding should be fixed by June 2020. How many dwellings are contained in buildings that the GLA’s administration of the private sector cladding remediation fund have to cover between 12 September 2019 and 30 June 2020, that have not already been allocated funding?

Government target for remediating buildings with ACM cladding (4)

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

The Government estimates that 80 London buildings will be eligible for funding. The GLA’s role begins when an applicant comes forward. The Government, not the GLA, is responsible for ensuring buildings apply to the fund. The fund will open for applications later this month.

GLA administration of the private sector cladding remediation fund (1)

Question No: 2019/17634

Andrew Dismore

How many dwellings are contained in the buildings to which the GLA has allocated funding for the remediation of ACM cladding in the private sector?

GLA administration of the private sector cladding remediation fund (1)

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

The Private Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund will open for applications later this month.

GLA administration of the private sector cladding remediation fund (2)

Question No: 2019/17635

Andrew Dismore

How many private sector buildings have had funding allocated from the cladding remediation fund administered by the GLA and what is the total value of this allocation?

GLA administration of the private sector cladding remediation fund (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

The Private Sector Cladding Remediation Fund will open for applications later this month.

Funding sprinklers through the Housing Revenue Account

Question No: 2019/17636

Andrew Dismore

On 18 July, James Brokenshire MP, who was secretary of state at MHCLG at the time, said: “The Housing Revenue Account borrowing cap was abolished on 29th October 2018, giving freedom to local authorities to help finance unforeseen capital repairs programmes, such as retro-fitting sprinklers”. What is your view on councils using the HRA headroom for this purpose?

Funding sprinklers through the Housing Revenue Account

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

I have written many times to the Secretary of State calling for the Government to fund the retrofitting of sprinklers or other suitable fire suppression systems as part of a risk-based approach, and to respond to the LFB’s call for sprinklers to be made mandatory in all new residential tower blocks.

Using the Housing Revenue Account headroom to fund the retrofitting of sprinklers would impact councils’ capacity to deliver affordable homes and fund other much needed services. I will therefore continue to lobby Government to make funding available for the retrofitting of sprinklers in existing buildings, especially those at high risk or accommodating vulnerable people.

Support with energy bills during ACM remediation works

Question No: 2019/17637

Andrew Dismore

In response to question 2019/12230, you stated that the average financial benefit to households participating in the fuel poverty support fund was £169 per year. Will you ensure that residents of buildings undergoing remediation of ACM cladding are aware of this service and able to access its benefits?

Support with energy bills during ACM remediation works

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

My Warmer Homes Advice Service (previously the Fuel Poverty Support Fund) is open to any fuel poor Londoner in any tenure. We are already working with social landlords to offer advice and support to vulnerable households in these buildings. We will also suggest that applicants to the Private Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund inform residents of the service and where affected leaseholders get in touch with the GLA directly, my team will ensure they are notified of the service.

Incidence of cancer among firefighters

Question No: 2019/17638

Andrew Dismore

What is the prevalence of cancers among current and former LFB firefighters, and what proportion of those are work related?

Incidence of cancer among firefighters

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

London Fire Brigade does not maintain a registry of existing or former employees who have had cancer and so is unable to provide data on the prevalence of cancer among firefighters.

From 2006 to date the Brigade has settled injury claims with the families of 35 former members of staff who died of mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos at work, all of whom commenced employment before 1982.

For cancers to be associated with the firefighter occupation the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) states that there needs to be evidence showing that ‘it is more likely than not’ that the cancer was caused by workplace exposure to a specific substance. In practice, this requires the risk to be shown to have more than doubled, otherwise, a positive connection cannot be associated with the work activities or workplace exposures of the occupational group. Any such cancer would be recommended as a prescribed industrial disease in the UK. No cancers have been formally linked with the firefighter occupation in the UK.

Speed of remediation buildings with ACM cladding (1)

Question No: 2019/17639

Andrew Dismore

For buildings in the social sector where the GLA has administered the cladding remediation fund, what is the average time between a) a plan being put in place for ACM cladding remediation to remediation works beginning, b) remediation works starting to remediation works completing, and c) from a plan being put in place to remediation works finishing?

Speed of remediation buildings with ACM cladding (1)

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

For buildings where the GLA is administering the Social Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund, the average estimated time between remediation works beginning (start on site for cladding replacement) and remediation works completing is eight months. This is based on estimated dates of completion because remediation work is ongoing in most cases.

The GLA does hold the other data requested.

Speed of remediation buildings with ACM cladding (2)

Question No: 2019/17640

Andrew Dismore

For buildings in the private sector where the GLA has administered the cladding remediation fund, what is the average time between a) a plan being put in place for ACM cladding remediation to remediation works beginning, b) remediation works starting to remediation works completing, and c) from a plan being put in place to remediation works finishing?

Answer for Speed of remediation buildings with ACM cladding (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

Officers are drafting a response

Simultaneous evacuations (1)

Question No: 2019/17641

Andrew Dismore

How many buildings in London have interim simultaneous evacuation procedures in place at the present time, and in each year since the Grenfell Tower fire? Please break this down by private sector and social sector and by borough.

Simultaneous evacuations (1)

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

The number of premises that have temporarily moved to a simultaneous evacuation strategy has changed at regular intervals over the last two years as premises have been remediated and others have been added to the list as issues have arisen. The readily available data held by London Fire Brigade does not capture the dates at which buildings were added or removed from the list, so it is not possible to provide a yearly breakdown for these premises. However, the requested breakdown for the current list of premises is provided below:

Total number of premises that have temporarily changed from stay put to simultaneous evacuation 216
Private 144
Social (Housing Association + Local Authority) 72
Barking and Dagenham total 3
Barking and Dagenham private 2
Barking and Dagenham social 1
Barnet total 2
Barnet private 1
Barnet social 1
Brent total 26
Brent private 15
Brent social 11
Bromley total 1
Bromley social 1
Camden total 4
Camden private 3
Camden social 1
City of London total 1
City of London private 1
Croydon total 5
Croydon private 4
Croydon social 1
Ealing total 4
Ealing private 4
Hammersmith and Fulham total 2
Hammersmith and Fulham social 2
Greenwich total 26
Greenwich private 26
Hackney total 21
Hackney private 3
Hackney social 18
Haringey total 2
Haringey social 2
Harrow total 1
Harrow private 1
Havering total 1
Havering private 1
Hillingdon total 1
Hillingdon private 1
Hounslow total 2
Hounslow private 2
Islington total 5
Islington private 1
Islington social 4
Kensington and Chelsea total 4
Kensington and Chelsea private 2
Kensington and Chelsea social 2
Lambeth total 2
Lambeth social 2
Lewisham total 5
Lewisham private 3
Lewisham social 2
Newham total 21
Newham private 15
Newham social 6
Richmond total 1
Richmond total 1
Southwark total 14
Southwark private 5
Southwark total 9
Tower Hamlets total 32
Tower Hamlets private 29
Tower Hamlets social 3
Waltham Forest total 1
Waltham Forest social 1
Wandsworth total 15
Wandsworth private 13
Wandsworth social 2
Westminster total 14
Westminster private 14

Simultaneous evacuations (2)

Question No: 2019/17642

Andrew Dismore

How many dwellings are contained in buildings in London that have interim simultaneous evacuation procedures in place at the present time, and in each year since the Grenfell Tower fire? Please break this down by private sector and social sector and by borough.

Simultaneous evacuations (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

The readily available data held by London Fire Brigade (LFB) for premises that have temporarily moved to a simultaneous evacuation strategy does not capture the number of individual dwellings in each building. Individual premises files provide further detailed information to inform the work of LFB officers, but this is not in a readily-reportable format.

Use of sections 77 and 78 of the Building Act 1984

Question No: 2019/17643

Andrew Dismore

At FREP committee on 18 July, use of s77 and s78 of the Building Act 1984 was suggested as a route for local authorities to force recalcitrant building owners to take action on flammable cladding. What discussions has the GLA and LFB had with local authorities, the Health and Safety Executive, and other relevant bodies, on this matter?

Use of sections 77 and 78 of the Building Act 1984

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

The Government has set up the Joint Inspection Team (JIT) to provide support to local authorities to use their enforcement powers where the building owner is reluctant to remediate. My team continue to engage with London Boroughs and support their work where possible, but it is not the GLA’s role to advise other bodies on enforcement.

London Fire Brigade has made representations to Government to stress the urgency in getting this matter resolved and for consideration to be made of additional measures that could be introduced to support the removal of unsafe cladding systems.

Audits of building fire safety

Question No: 2019/17644

Andrew Dismore

At FREP committee on 18 July, LFB stated they were carrying out in-depth audits of building safety on a sample of cases from recent years. Of the cases so far examined, how many reach a) a good / high standard, and b) a poor / inadequate standard?

Audits of building fire safety

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

The in-depth audit of fire engineered buildings carried out by London Fire Brigade (LFB) involved a review of 20 buildings and took a qualitative approach, considering systems from smoke control to the management of the building. Only one building could be considered to reach a high standard that would be meet the expected good management of active and passive fire protection measures – for example, having no apparent issues with compartmentation and having working detection and smoke control systems – coupled with good management of the building by the Responsible Person.

Individual buildings highlighted different issues of concern. For example, significant active fire protection measures issues were noted in 12 out of the 20 buildings with smoke control systems, whereas 13 out of 20 had issues relating to the building management. All issues identified were communicated to the Responsible Person so that they could be dealt with, and their resolution was monitored by the engineer who undertook the review.

Availability of environmental health officers

Question No: 2019/17645

Andrew Dismore

What is the average time taken between the brigade contacting a local authority Environmental Health Officer regarding concerns over a building, and the consequent investigation visit being carried out?

Availability of environmental health officers

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

Response times for Environmental Health Officers are a matter for individual Local Authorities and not something that London Fire Brigade records.

Correspondence following the Lakanal House fire

Question No: 2019/17646

Andrew Dismore

Please provide copies of all correspondence to local authorities and housing associations referenced in response to question 2019/14532

Answer for Correspondence following the Lakanal House fire

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

Officers are drafting a response

Buildings judged unsafe

Question No: 2019/17647

Andrew Dismore

At FREP committee on 18 July 2019, the committee was told: “Over two years ago we [LFB] provided recommendations around the design of that building that was unsafe and we would not support the development. The development has nonetheless gone ahead”. In how many cases in each year from 2016 to the present has this happened?

Buildings judged unsafe

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

Examples of this type are not routinely captured by London Fire Brigade (LFB). While it is a legal requirement for a building control body to issue the fire and rescue service with a final/completion certificate for a building, at present this is not reconciled with the LFB premises file. This process is currently being reviewed.

The expectation has been that the concerns and observations of LFB would be actioned and supported by building control officers, who have responsibility for assessing compliance with building regulations, but there is currently no process for reconciling significant differences in opinion on building control consultations, nor any requirement to act on fire and rescue service advice.

The recent anecdotal evidence of the LFB Fire Engineering Group when dealing with complex building schemes is that there has been an increase in building control bodies that appear to not be acting on Brigade advice and recommendations. LFB has highlighted this issue in its responses to Government consultations and called for this situation to change.

Burglaries in Camden

Question No: 2019/17648

Andrew Dismore

How are Met Operations and the Central north BCU working to tackle aggravated burglaries like the incident which took place in Cricklewood on the 11th May 2019 (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/former-premier-league-star-punched…)?

Burglaries in Camden

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

I understand that the Met wrote to you about this issue on 3 September 2019.

MOPAC representation at Barnet Safer Neighbourhood Board meetings

Question No: 2019/17649

Andrew Dismore

No MOPAC representative has attended meetings of Barnet Safer Neighbourhood Board for at least a year; nor were apologies for absence sent. What is the reason for this and will you ensure MOPAC representation at the next Barnet Safer Neighbourhood Board meeting?

Answer for MOPAC representation at Barnet Safer Neighbourhood Board meetings

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

Officers are drafting a response

Action Fraud

Question No: 2019/17650

Andrew Dismore

Are you satisfied with the performance of Action Fraud as the best way to investigate complaints from fraud victims in London?

Answer for Action Fraud

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

Officers are drafting a response

MPS Operations and Frontline Policing Cooperation

Question No: 2019/17651

Andrew Dismore

How are Metropolitan Police Service’s Operations and the Frontline Policing branches working together to tackle aggravated burglaries like the incident which took place in Cricklewood on the 11th May 2019 (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/former-premier-league-star-punched…)?

MPS Operations and Frontline Policing Cooperation

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

I understand that the Met wrote to you about this issue on 3 September 2019.

Free School Meals in no-deal Brexit

Question No: 2019/17652

Andrew Dismore

How are you supporting London’s schools to provide nutritious food for children receiving free school meals in the event of a no-deal Brexit?

Free School Meals in no-deal Brexit

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

The London Resilience Forum (LRF) continues to look at the short-term implications of no-deal on food supply and distribution, alongside other critical areas. They are working with sector experts including members of the London Food Board to raise relevant concerns and understand how Government will maintain food supply, especially for the most vulnerable communities and children relying on free school meals. In June I put forward a blueprint for the now incumbent Prime Minister to address the huge challenges facing London and the UK.

At present, approximately 200,000 children are eligible for free school meals in London. My Healthy Schools London programme supports over 2,000 schools to provide healthy, nutritious food but schools typically lack the resources or capacity to stockpile food which means they are particularly vulnerable to any disruption.

I believe that a no-deal Brexit must be avoided at all costs. As I’ve said before, the Prime Minster must urgently revoke Article 50 and give the British public the final say.

Food supply

Question No: 2019/17653

Andrew Dismore

What contingency plans are in place to ensure Londoners have access to adequate and nutritious food in the event on a no-deal Brexit?

Food supply

The Mayor

Last updated: 17 September, 2019

The impact of any disruption remains difficult to determine, depending on factors including industry reaction and policy, UK and EU member state policy and, importantly, public behaviour. Just-in-time food supply chains are complex and have evolved over decades with access to free trade agreements across Europe.

The London Resilience Forum (LRF) continues to look at the short-term implications of no-deal on food supply and distribution, alongside other critical areas. They are exploring this with the London Food Board and its retail and hospitality sector representatives, working to understand how Government will maintain continuity of food supply.

The LRF has raised its concerns with Government about the unacceptable risks on food supply for vulnerable Londoners. In June I put forward a blueprint for the now incumbent Prime Minister to address the huge challenges facing London and the UK.

I believe that a no-deal Brexit must be avoided at all costs. As I’ve said before, the Prime Minster must urgently revoke Article 50 and give the British public the final say.

 

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