MQ answers Dec 19
Somali Bravanese Welfare Association
Question No: 2019/20890
Andrew Dismore
Will you join me in welcoming news that the Somali Bravanese Welfare Association have finally moved into their new home at the Tarling Road Hub in East Finchley?
Somali Bravanese Welfare Association
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
I welcome the news of the Somali Bravanese Welfare Association’s (SBWA) move into their new home at the Tarling Road Hub in East Finchley. The SBWA has been an important part of the local community for over 20 years, providing advice, information and support for the Somali Bravanese community living in Barnet. The Association lost its former home in an appalling arson attack and it is a great testament to all Barnet’s communities how they have actively worked together – residents and community groups – to secure this shared community space. Further proof that in London we don’t just tolerate diversity, we embrace and celebrate it.
Answer for Somali Bravanese Welfare Association
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2019/20893
Andrew Dismore
Have you lobbied the government to stress to them the deeply negative impact that school funding cuts are having on education and opportunities for young people in London?
School cuts
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
I have consistently lobbied government for extra funding for London’s schools. Most recently, in March this year, with the other Police and Crime Commissioners, I called on the former Prime Minister to reverse the damaging funding cuts and give schools the resources they need to deliver effective interventions and support London’s most vulnerable children and young people.
In August, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Education, shortly after his appointment, to highlight the £99 million in real terms cuts London schools faced in 2018-19 alone. I urged him to make school and further education funding a priority.
I will continue to press London’s case on school funding with the new Government.
Answer for School cuts
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2019/20895
Andrew Dismore
Why has rail-grinding not been carried out on the Northbound track of the Victoria Line in the Fitzroy Square area since February 2019? Given your recent letter to Assembly Members where you stated that rail grinding would be used to mitigate tube noise, will you reconsider this decision?
Tube noise in Fitzrovia [1]
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
Transport for London (TfL) and I are committed to minimising noise and disruption caused by the Tube.
Previously, rail grinding was generally carried out by TfL on an annual basis to maintain the condition of the track. This is why rail grinding has not been carried out on the northbound section of the track since February 2019. However, TfL has now dedicated one of its two rail grinding machines to addressing noise and vibration concerns, and in the future will carry out rail grinding at key noise locations on a more regular basis.
Further rail grinding in the Fitzroy Square area is scheduled for spring 2020. TfL will continue to take regular noise measurements, to determine how often rail grinding should be carried out in this location.
Answer for Tube noise in Fitzrovia [1]
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2019/20898
Andrew Dismore
What is the latest on plans to improve pedestrian access around Stirling Corner?
Stirling Corner
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
Work began on 21 November 2019 to introduce a pedestrian and cycle crossing facility at Stirling Corner, across Barnet Way. It is scheduled for completion by the end of February 2020.
Answer for Stirling Corner
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2019/20899
Andrew Dismore
Are you satisfied with the performance of the 88 bus? Residents report to me that they are not, saying that the service is unreliable and with greater gaps between services.
88 bus
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
Transport for London (TfL) has checked the reliability of buses operating on route 88 in relation to these comments and found the service is performing within the standards expected. In the most recent four weekly reporting period, which includes some of November and early December, the actual average waiting time was 5.22 minutes. If residents experience a problem at their stop, they can contact TfL’s Customer Experience team to find out more on 0343 222 1234.
Answer for 88 bus
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Fires in other residential buildings with cladding
Question No: 2019/20908
Andrew Dismore
Since the Grenfell Tower fire, how many primary fires have occurred in residential buildings below 18m high, with ACM or another form of cladding (e.g. timber or HPL) that proves to contribute to fire spread?
Fires in other residential buildings with cladding
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
London Fire Brigade collects data on fires in the format of the national Incident Recording System (IRS) which is maintained by the Home Office. The IRS includes a question that asks whether there was “any special method of building construction involved” in the fire. This question includes “cladding” (of any description) as one of nine prescribed answers which also includes issues such as timber framed or sandwich panels. The table below shows that from January 2017 to date there have been 30 fires in low rise flats (under 10 storeys) where cladding has been recorded as a special method of building construction.
| Property Type | 2017 | 2018 | 2019* |
| Converted Flat/Maisonettes – 3 or more storeys | – | – | – |
| House in Multiple Occupation – 3 or more storeys (not known if licensed) | – | – | – |
| Licensed House in Multiple Occupation – 3 or more storeys | – | – | – |
| Purpose built flat – number floors unknown | – | – | – |
| Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 10 or more storeys | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – 4 to 9 storeys | 4 | 10 | 14 |
| Purpose Built Flats/Maisonettes – Up to 3 storeys | 1 | – | – |
| Unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation – 3 or more storeys | – | – |
* 10 December 2019
Answer for Fires in other residential buildings with cladding
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Non-ACM related suspension of stay put (1)
Question No: 2019/20909
Andrew Dismore
Thank you for your answer to question 2019/20476 in which you stated 135 residential buildings have had stay put suspended. Please provide a categorisation of the reasons which have caused the move to suspension of stay put.
Non-ACM related suspension of stay put (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
The 135 premises that have temporarily suspended their stay put strategy for reasons other than the presence of ACM cladding have done so for a number of reasons. These include awaiting test results for potentially non-compliant cladding/ façade system, the presence of High Pressure Laminate (HPL) cladding, concerns over insulation materials, missing cavity barriers in voids and façade systems, compartmentation issues and issues with ventilation systems.
Answer for Non-ACM related suspension of stay put (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Non-ACM related suspension of stay put (3)
Question No: 2019/20911
Andrew Dismore
Please provide a borough breakdown of the 135 buildings with stay put suspended for a reason other than ACM cladding, and for each borough note how many buildings are social sector and how many are privately owned.
Non-ACM related suspension of stay put (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
Please see the table below:
| Borough | Private | Social | TBC | TOTAL |
| Barking and Dagenham | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Barnet | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bexley | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Brent | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Bromley | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Camden | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| City Of London | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Croydon | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Ealing | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Enfield | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Greenwich | 10 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| Hackney | 2 | 24 | 0 | 26 |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Haringey | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Harrow | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Havering | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Hillingdon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Hounslow | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Islington | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Kensington and Chelsea | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Kingston upon Thames | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lambeth | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lewisham | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| Merton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Newham | 9 | 5 | 0 | 14 |
| Redbridge | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Richmond upon Thames | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Southwark | 6 | 5 | 0 | 11 |
| Sutton | 9 | 17 | 0 | 26 |
| Tower Hamlets | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| Waltham Forest | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wandsworth | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Westminster | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 82 | 78 | 2 | 162 |
Answer for Non-ACM related suspension of stay put (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Boroughs affected by stay-put suspension
Question No: 2019/20912
Andrew Dismore
Please provide a borough breakdown of the 117 residential buildings in London that have had stay put suspended because of the presence of ACM cladding, and for each borough note how many buildings are social sector and how many are privately owned.
Boroughs affected by stay-put suspension
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
Please see the table below:
| Borough | Private | Social | TBC | TOTAL |
| Barking and Dagenham | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Barnet | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bexley | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Brent | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Bromley | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Camden | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| City Of London | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Croydon | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Ealing | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Enfield | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Greenwich | 10 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| Hackney | 2 | 24 | 0 | 26 |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Haringey | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Harrow | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Havering | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Hillingdon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Hounslow | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Islington | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Kensington and Chelsea | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Kingston upon Thames | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lambeth | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lewisham | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| Merton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Newham | 9 | 5 | 0 | 14 |
| Redbridge | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Richmond upon Thames | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Southwark | 6 | 5 | 0 | 11 |
| Sutton | 9 | 17 | 0 | 26 |
| Tower Hamlets | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| Waltham Forest | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wandsworth | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Westminster | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 82 | 78 | 2 | 162 |
Answer for Boroughs affected by stay-put suspension
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Fire and Rescue Unit crew mobility
Question No: 2019/20925
Andrew Dismore
Concerns have been raised with me regarding a lack of station mobility for FRU-qualified firefighters. Will you consider how to ensure these essential staff do not become “trapped” by their qualifications?
Fire and Rescue Unit crew mobility
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
London Fire Brigade’s Establishment and Performance Team continuously review skills and establishment levels across the Fire Rescue Unit (FRU) fleet ensuring that where possible transfers can take place, this is dependent upon the availability of personnel to train.
A review of the FRU function has been completed by Operational Policy and Assurance and the report will recommend that further work is undertaken to explore the benefits of ‘dedicated rescue’. This would result in a reduced qualification requirement, increased training capacity, cost savings and improved levels of competence. It would also identify a transparent process for entry to and exit from the dedicated FRU role at all ranks. This report will be submitted to the relevant Directorate Boards in due course.
Answer for Fire and Rescue Unit crew mobility
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 Report (1)
Question No: 2019/20928
Andrew Dismore
What action are you taking to ensure the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 Report are implemented promptly and effectively?
Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 Report (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
London Fire Brigade (LFB) has developed a detailed action plan to monitor and report on all Grenfell-related improvements across the Brigade. The scale and wide-ranging nature of Grenfell Tower-related improvements has led LFB to utilise both existing and new governance arrangements to organise, prioritise and deliver these improvements, including the Operational Improvement Process and the establishment of a Grenfell Tower Oversight and Assurance Board (formerly the Grenfell Tower Improvement Board).
The London Fire Commissioner has extended the role of the Grenfell Tower Investigation and Review Team and has directed the Assistant Commissioner that leads the team to monitor, report and provide assurance on progress of improvements arising from the recommendations. The new monitoring and reporting functions are led by a newly recruited senior member of staff who will be supported by a small team, with the relevant project management and audit/assurance knowledge and experience.
Answer for Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 Report (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 Report (2)
Question No: 2019/20929
Andrew Dismore
What processes will you put in place to monitor the implementation of the recommendations made in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 Report?
Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 Report (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
London Fire Brigade (LFB) welcomes the recommendations set out by Sir Martin Moore-Bick. The Brigade will carefully consider the implementation of the recommendations, including those directed at building owners, which are likely to have a significant impact on LFB and all fire and rescue services. The London Fire Commissioner is submitting details of its action plan to my office and the Home Office which will detail improvements already in place, and those that are currently being scoped and delivered, in response to the internal investigation and Inquiry. This will be updated and provided to me and the Home Office on a monthly basis for at least three months to demonstrate progress. LFB acknowledges the wider conclusions set out in the Inquiry Phase 1 report and the systemic issues identified by Sir Martin Moore-Bick. The resulting need for transformational change is fully recognised and is being acted upon.
Answer for Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 Report (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
West Hampstead cottages refurbishment timeline
Question No: 2019/20933
Andrew Dismore
In relation to DMFD34, now that a contractor has been assigned to the West Hampstead cottages, what is the timeline for the works and the completion date?
West Hampstead cottages refurbishment timeline
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
The works commenced on 18 November and the current programme schedules completion by May 2020, subject to specific project risks and dependencies. Full re-occupation is expected to take place in the summer of 2020.
Answer for West Hampstead cottages refurbishment timeline
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
LFB premise asset replacement works
Question No: 2019/20934
Andrew Dismore
DMFD44 allocates £3,374,544 for premises asset replacement works. What items are contained under this heading that the money will be spent on?
LFB premise asset replacement works
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
This funding covers a portfolio of capital projects primarily focused on those listed in the table below.
| Project | Location |
| Heating replacement projects | Surbiton and Acton fire stations |
| Electrical rewire projects | Hainault, Richmond and East Greenwich fire stations |
| Window replacement project | Chingford fire station |
| Roof replacement projects | Clapham and Stoke Newington fire stations |
| Appliance bay door replacement projects | Soho, Brixton and Paddington fire stations |
Answer for LFB premise asset replacement works
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Fire safety qualification and training contract award (3)
Question No: 2019/20935
Andrew Dismore
In relation to DMFD25 on the award of a fire safety training contract, why was the contractor Xact Consultancy and Training ltd chosen over Babcock?
Fire safety qualification and training contract award (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
Babcock did not submit a bid for this contract. Three companies submitted bids and, following a tendering process, Xact were named as the preferred bidder.
Answer for Fire safety qualification and training contract award (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2019/20936
Andrew Dismore
What does the Brexit extension to 31 January 2020 mean for London’s economy and residents?
Brexit
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
London’s businesses and residents remain unsure about what the future holds because the Government has failed to provide the resources, guidance, and above all, clarity necessary.
Parliament is now expected to approve the UK Withdrawal Agreement, as is the EU. So, the 31 January deadline appears likely to be met.
However, this will do nothing to reduce uncertainty for our businesses, and anxiety for our residents. The Prime Minister has said he will negotiate a free trade agreement with the EU by December 2020, which international trade experts consider to be highly unlikely. At the same time, he proposes to end freedom of movement and introduce a new points-based immigration system. We have no clue as yet as to how any of this will work in practice. We await more detailed plans, but I will continue to fight for a Brexit deal that retains the closest alignment with the EU and protects the rights of European Londoners, as that is in the best interests of London’s economy and people.
Answer for Brexit
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2019/20937
Andrew Dismore
What is being done to reduce tube noise that affects residents living near tube lines?
Tube noise
The Mayor
Last updated: 07 January, 2020
Transport for London (TfL) regularly monitors noise levels across the Tube network. Where a noise issue is raised by local residents, TfL carries out any practical action, while continuing to explore innovative solutions.
Despite a number of financial challenges, TfL invests approximately £260m a year on London Underground track renewal and maintenance. This includes a continuous programme of rail grinding and track modernisation.
Since November 2016, TfL has carried out works in proximity to over 200 homes most affected by noise, installing thousands of new track fastenings, hundreds of metres of new track and grinding rails and removing rail joints where they are no longer necessary.
In recent months, TfL has carried out a targeted programme of rail grinding at key sites across the network, which has reduced noise levels for affected residents. TfL is also trialling a new type of track fastening that they hope will replicate noise and vibration benefits for local residents, while also addressing in-carriage noise.
Answer for Tube noise
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
