Fire written answers Jan 20
Bullying in London Fire Brigade
Question No: 2020/0237
Andrew Dismore
What are you doing to address the findings of HMICFRS that some staff in the London Fire Brigade report being bullied or harassed at work?
Answer for Bullying in London Fire Brigade
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Bullying in London Fire Brigade
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 January, 2020
I was deeply concerned by the experience some LFB reported of being bullied and harassed and it is vital that any behaviour of this kind is rooted out as a matter of urgency.
In 2019 an external review was undertaken of London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) harassment complaints procedure, resulting in a new, clearer and easier to use policy being drafted. The new policy is due for launch in Spring 2020. Bullying and harassment complaints are now dealt with by a team with a greater number of experienced personnel.
Work is underway to develop LFB’s behavioural framework for all employees, based on a new organisational strategy. Additionally, a tailored leadership programme will be launched, which will include training to assist managers in improving their skills in areas such as reducing incidents of bullying, harassment and dispute resolution.
Question No: 2020/0240
Andrew Dismore
HMICFRS has said that the London Fire Brigade “requires improvement”. How will you address the concerns raised by HMICFRS in its recent inspection of the Brigade?
Answer for HMICFRS monitoring framework
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
HMICFRS monitoring framework
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 January, 2020
The results of the London Fire Brigade’s HMICFRS inspection were simply not good enough and it is important that changes are made to address the issues raised as quickly as possible.
The London Fire Commissioner is compiling an action plan to address the concerns raised by HMICFRS. This is due to report back to the Inspectorate at the end of February 2020 and will also be provided to the London Assembly Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee. My team and I will work with the Commissioner to ensure the action plan addresses the full scale and range of the issue facing the Brigade.
Question No: 2020/0235
Andrew Dismore
Please provide an update on the rank structure for the crewing of command units in the London Fire Brigade.
Answer for Command unit crewing (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/0236
Andrew Dismore
Please provide an update on changes to crewing that may affect the availability of command units in the London Fire Brigade.
Command unit crewing (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
The changes that are proposed under the command unit integration project will see the number of Command Unit trained staff rise from 96 to a minimum of 244. This will be a significant improvement and increase resilience for the command unit function.
Bullying in London Fire Brigade
Question No: 2020/0237
Andrew Dismore
What are you doing to address the findings of HMICFRS that some staff in the London Fire Brigade report being bullied or harassed at work?
Answer for Bullying in London Fire Brigade
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/0238
Andrew Dismore
The Mayer review recommended that no further reduction to the London Fire Brigade’s funding be made, following the previous Mayor’s cuts programme. Do you still hold by this recommendation?
Mayer Review three years on
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Yes. However, the HMICFRS inspection report made clear that the London Fire Brigade (LFB) needs to make more effective use of the resources available to it. I will be working with the new Commissioner, Andy Roe, to ensure that the Brigade addresses, this alongside all other recommendations from both the HMICFRS report and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 1 report.
Question No: 2020/0239
Andrew Dismore
What arrangements are in place to ensure adequate fire cover is in place during the 8 Albert Embankment redevelopment?
Answer for Fire cover in Lambeth
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/0240
Andrew Dismore
HMICFRS has said that the London Fire Brigade “requires improvement”. How will you address the concerns raised by HMICFRS in its recent inspection of the Brigade?
Answer for HMICFRS monitoring framework
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
National Operational Guidance for LFB
Question No: 2020/0241
Andrew Dismore
Do you share HMICFRS’ concern that the London Fire Brigade’s operational policies and procedures do not fully reflect National Operational Guidance? What will you do to address this?
Answer for National Operational Guidance for LFB
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/0242
Andrew Dismore
Following the concerning HMICFRS report into the London Fire Brigade, how will you monitor the progress of the Brigade in making the improvements requested, and when will such a system be in place?
Monitoring LFB’s performance
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
I have regular monthly meetings with the London Fire Commissioner and the Deputy Mayor. Additionally, the Deputy Mayor has a monthly Fire and Resilience Board meeting with the Brigade’s senior officers which will receive updates and scrutinise progress against the required improvements. My Deputy Mayor is working with the Brigade on proposals for improved assurance arrangements, and will consult the Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee to ensure Assembly Members have confidence in the rigour of the assurance process.
LFB training for critical skills
Question No: 2020/0243
Andrew Dismore
HMICFRS identified a worrying backlog of staff training in risk critical skills in the London Fire Brigade and calls for a “fundamental review of the contract with the external contractor to ensure that it is fit for purpose”. Do you support this?
Answer for LFB training for critical skills
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/0244
Andrew Dismore
What steps in training is the London Fire Brigade taking to ensure all officers are competent in incident command?
Answer for Command training
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Emergency vehicle driver training
Question No: 2020/0245
Andrew Dismore
What steps is the London Fire Brigade taking to ensure continuity training is in place for all staff tasked with driving emergency vehicles?
Answer for Emergency vehicle driver training
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Carbon reduction on LFB’s estate
Question No: 2020/0246
Andrew Dismore
What actions is London Fire Brigade taking to reduce the carbon footprint of its current and future estate?
Carbon reduction on LFB’s estate
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) carbon emissions have reduced by 50.3 per cent from 1990 levels, largely due to improvements made to the estate, including energy efficient heating, lighting, insulation measures and solar photovoltaics. LFB’s new carbon strategy (2019-2025) sets out plans to achieve a 60 per cent reduction target, and the direction of travel required to work towards carbon zero by 2050. The strategy proposes a three-year programme of future works to the estate to deliver further energy efficiency improvements and onsite renewable energy installations and plans to move to 100 per cent renewable electricity supply.
Question No: 2020/0247
Andrew Dismore
Are there any plans to restart charging for false alarm callouts?
Charging for false alarms
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
A new team dedicated to the reduction of false alarm callouts has recently been established by London Fire Brigade (LFB). A range of measures are currently being devised, reviewed and implemented by the team to support false alarm reduction practices. However, the key to effective reduction is on site call filtering supported by Control. An extension to filtering by LFB Control Operators was introduced in November 2019. A revised approach to cost recovery will be implemented this year, subject to legal advice. It will apply in limited circumstances, specifically where there is a failure to adopt or adhere to a reasonable false alarm reduction plan, and where sufficient evidence is available to meet the legislative threshold for charging.
Speed of remediation buildings with ACM cladding (2)
Question No: 2020/0248
Andrew Dismore
Since the Private Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund opened for applications in September how many full applications have been made to the GLA; how many have been approved; how much money has been allocated to successful bids; what are you doing to encourage private sector freeholders to come forward with bids; and what are the main obstacles to applications coming forward?
Answer for Speed of remediation buildings with ACM cladding (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Evacuation of buildings with ACM cladding
Question No: 2020/0249
Andrew Dismore
How many high-rise residential buildings in London have been vacated due to the presence of unremediated ACM cladding or other fire safety problems?
Answer for Evacuation of buildings with ACM cladding
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Organisations receiving funding through the cladding remediation funds
Question No: 2020/0250
Andrew Dismore
Please provide a list of all organisations and the amount of funding each has received from the cladding remediation funds administered by the GLA?
Answer for Organisations receiving funding through the cladding remediation funds
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Completion of remediation works in London
Question No: 2020/0251
Andrew Dismore
On the basis of the GLA’s administration of the cladding remediation funds, when do you expect a) all buildings to have begun works and b) all buildings to have completed works?
Answer for Completion of remediation works in London
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Enforcement notices against buildings with ACM cladding
Question No: 2020/0252
Andrew Dismore
How many buildings with ACM cladding have had enforcement notices issued to them by the London Fire Brigade?
Enforcement notices against buildings with ACM cladding
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
A total of 19 enforcement notices have been issued to buildings with ACM cladding. Those notices related to deficiencies in the general fire precautions within those buildings.
Accommodation for Grenfell Tower residents
Question No: 2020/0253
Andrew Dismore
Are you concerned that more than two years after the Grenfell Tower fire, nine families are still not in a permanent home?
Answer for Accommodation for Grenfell Tower residents
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Valuing high-rise buildings with flammable cladding
Question No: 2020/0254
Andrew Dismore
What impact will the new valuation process for high rise buildings with flammable cladding, agreed by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, UK Finance, and Building Societies Association, have on the London housing market?
Answer for Valuing high-rise buildings with flammable cladding
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Total costs of building remediation
Question No: 2020/0255
Andrew Dismore
What estimate have housing sector delivery partners made of the cost and time scale for remediating all fire safety problems in their housing stock?
Answer for Total costs of building remediation
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Queen’s speech 2019 – fire safety bill
Question No: 2020/0256
Andrew Dismore
What discussions have you had with the Government regarding the Fire Safety Bill outlined in the December 2019 Queen’s speech?
Queen’s speech 2019 – fire safety bill
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
London Fire Brigade (LFB) officers have had initial discussions with the Government regarding the issues that were announced in the Queen’s Speech to be included in the Fire Safety Bill and the Building Safety Bill. LFB provided significant contributions to inform the recommendations that came out of the Dame Judith Hackitt review and officers will be keen to help shape the Bills to enable those recommendations to be delivered. The London Fire Commissioner is meeting the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and the Fire Service in January, and these issues will be discussed at that meeting.
Queen’s speech 2019 – building safety bill
Question No: 2020/0257
Andrew Dismore
What discussions have you had with the Government regarding the Building Safety Bill outlined in the December 2019 Queen’s speech?
Answer for Queen’s speech 2019 – building safety bill
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/0258
Andrew Dismore
In each of the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, how many primary fires in care homes have been attended by the London Fire Brigade?
Answer for Fires in care homes (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/0259
Andrew Dismore
In each of the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, how many a) injuries and b) deaths have been caused by fires in care homes?
Answer for Fires in care homes (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/0260
Andrew Dismore
In each of the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, how many times has an inspection following a fire at a care home found it to be deficient in fire safety and therefore requiring a notice of deficiency or other enforcement action?
Answer for Fires in care homes (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/0261
Andrew Dismore
What discussions have you had with train operating companies following the Office for Rail and Road’s finding that software flaws on rolling stock contributed to the disruption of the August 2019 energy blackout?
August energy blackouts (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
My Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience hold a bi-annual resilience preparedness meeting with relevant stakeholders to provide assurances in advance of summer and winter seasonal challenges that necessary preparations are in place. At the most recent meeting in November, Network Rail representatives confirmed that the relevant train operating companies had upgraded their software so that such problems with the train restart following a power failure would not occur again. They have also taken action to notify all train operating companies with trains that use that software model to undertake the upgrades to their software to mitigate any future problems.
Question No: 2020/0262
Andrew Dismore
What measures have you put in place to improve London’s resilience to energy failures like those seen in August 2019?
August energy blackouts (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Legislation is in place that requires the energy industry to respond and recover from this type and scale of incident and to assure central Government departments of their business continuity plans. Within the industry, there are regularly-reviewed plans and procedures in place to respond to an incident of this scale.
There is a new industry standard currently being developed that will set out the minimum standards for industry-level responses. This will add further assurance to London’s partners of the industry’s ability to respond to such incidents.
London has well-rehearsed multi-agency emergency response plans in place, in the very unlikely event of large-scale power outages, which remain a ‘very high’ risk on the London Risk Register because although they are unlikely, the impact of a large-scale power outage could be extremely high. The London Power Disruption Protocol was revised in 2018 and was exercised with local responders in May 2018; it is reviewed to assess if it needs to incorporate any new learning three times a year.
Question No: 2020/0263
Andrew Dismore
What involvement did GLA family organisations have in Ofgem’s report into the energy blackouts of August 2019?
August energy blackouts (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Ofgem’s report into the energy blackouts in August 2019 had three primary aims: establish the circumstance and cause of the event; establish the lessons to improve the resilience of the energy network: and assess whether the key licensed parties complied with their license conditions.
As such Ofgem’s work was focussed on the Electricity System Operator and the Distribution Network Operators, as opposed to end users, and therefore members of the GLA family were not engaged with the report.
The London Resilience Group will however review the report as part of their work to ensure that any lessons relevant for London’s partner agencies will be incorporated into the ongoing development of London’s plans for events like these, and that we provide Londoners with the best possible response in future.
Question No: 2020/0264
Andrew Dismore
Is Ofgem’s charging of a fine of £10.5 million across three energy companies sufficient considering the difficulties and inconvenience caused by their failure to prepare for disruption?
August energy blackouts (4)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
The fine issued is a matter for Ofgem to determine within the fining structures of the electricity supply industry. It is, however, disappointing that the fines will not compensate the end users who experienced the inconvenience caused.
Individuals who were inconvenienced as a result of the transport disruption, which was related to the preparedness of the Train Operating Companies for this type of incident, rather than to the actions of the power providers, can claim directly for their inconvenience via the train operators.
London Bridge and Borough Market terror attack recommendations (1)
Question No: 2019/20902
Andrew Dismore
What consideration have you given to MC18 in the Chief Coroner’s Prevention of Future Deaths report following the London Bridge and Borough Market attack, that a number of LAS and LFB staff should be present in the MPS control room at all times?
Answer for London Bridge and Borough Market terror attack recommendations (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
London Bridge and Borough Market terror attack recommendations (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
Section MC18 in the Action to Prevent Future Deaths Report is addressed to MPS and LAS. However, London Fire Brigade (LFB) has been fully engaged in considering the recommendation and working towards a London Emergency Services Coordinating Centre (LESCC). Planning and exercises have been undertaken, and a multi-agency trial is proposed for February 2020 that will see MPS, LAS and LFB control staff physically co-located in the MPS Control.
London Bridge and Borough Market terror attack recommendations (2)
Question No: 2019/20903
Andrew Dismore
What consideration have you given to MC1, 13, 15, 16 and 17 in the Chief Coroner’s Prevention of Future Deaths report following the London Bridge and Borough Market attack, all of which have a bearing on LFB?
Answer for London Bridge and Borough Market terror attack recommendations (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
London Bridge and Borough Market terror attack recommendations (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
Each matter of concern (MC) is addressed to other parties including the Home Office, the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), London Ambulance Service, MPS and City of London Police. London Fire Brigade (LFB) officers are fully engaged with those partners on the matters of concern and represented on the relevant working groups, where appropriate. LFB officers will write to you separately with full details.
London Development Panel 2 requirements (1)
Question No: 2019/20904
Andrew Dismore
Your changes to the LDP2 note that developers should register white goods “or advise new residents to do this”. Will you consider removing the option to place this responsibility on individuals and ensure the task lies clearly with the developer?
Answer for London Development Panel 2 requirements (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
London Development Panel 2 requirements (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
I will update the LDP guidance to state that Developers must register any in-built electrical products which they install. Developers must also encourage residents to register any white goods which the residents themselves bring into their new homes.
London Development Panel 2 requirements (2)
Question No: 2019/20905
Andrew Dismore
What steps have you taken to encourage other public land owners to sign up to LDP2 standards on fire safety, and which organisations have adopted these or equivalent requirements?
Answer for London Development Panel 2 requirements (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
London Development Panel 2 requirements (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
As Mayor, I have been encouraging other public landowners to adopt the practices laid out in the LDP2 Fire Safety Guidance. These measures have been raised in meetings with Transport for London and other partners. In addition, when landowners seek access agreements to use the panel, the Fire Safety Guidance is shared, explaining that I strongly encourage the take up of practices laid out in the document. The guidance is also being raised by GLA officers in regular meetings with borough representatives, encouraging them to do the same on their land. Lastly, the Fire Safety measures have been published on the London.gov webpage.
London Development Panel 2 requirements (3)
Question No: 2019/20906
Andrew Dismore
How many of the following forms of buildings were a) given planning permission and b) built under the previous LDP2 fire safety requirements:
- purpose-built blocks of flats (including conversions, student accommodation and hotels);
- homes where vulnerable people live;
- buildings housing vulnerable residents, such as care homes or sheltered accommodation;
- schools; and
- buildings/conversion of any type that are of 18m in height or more?
Answer for London Development Panel 2 requirements (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
London Development Panel 2 requirements (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
This information is not currently held. I will provide a response by the end of January.
London Development Panel 2 requirements (4)
Question No: 2019/20907
Andrew Dismore
How many of the following forms of buildings have been a) given planning permission and b) built under the new LDP2 fire safety requirements:
- purpose-built blocks of flats (including conversions, student accommodation and hotels);
- homes where vulnerable people live;
- buildings housing vulnerable residents, such as care homes or sheltered accommodation;
- schools; and
- buildings/conversion of any type that are of 18m in height or more?
Answer for London Development Panel 2 requirements (4)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
London Development Panel 2 requirements (4)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
This information is not currently held. I will provide a response by the end of January.
Non-ACM related suspension of stay put (2)
Question No: 2019/20910
Andrew Dismore
What steps are the LFB and GLA taking to support building owners in remedying the non-ACM related reasons for stay put suspension, given the absence of national funding for this?
Answer for Non-ACM related suspension of stay put (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Non-ACM related suspension of stay put (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
London Fire Brigade (LFB) routinely provides advice, support and guidance to responsible persons (RP) for premises on a range of issues, responding to general enquiries and post-audit queries to support remediation works. Issues relating to general fire precautions in a building, such as compartmentation, fire doors and risk assessments, are the RP’s responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, so any work required to remedy issues in these areas should be funded by RPs themselves. My officers at both the GLA and the LFB have consistently lobbied for timely and decisive action from Government to support building owners to rectify non-ACM cladding issues. LFB officers are working closely with building owners and the government’s Building Safety Programme to provide guidance and support and to shape the future framework for building safety.
Cladding remediation fund December update (1)
Question No: 2019/20913
Andrew Dismore
How much money has been a) allocated and b) disbursed to remediate high rise residential buildings with ACM cladding in London, spilt between publicly and privately-owned buildings?
Answer for Cladding remediation fund December update (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Cladding remediation fund December update (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
The GLA is working hard to administer the Cladding Remediation Funds as swiftly as possible and my team is in daily contact with Applicants to bring forward applications urgently. Ultimately, however, pace is dictated by the Applicant. As of 12 December 2019:
| Allocated | Disbursed | |
| SSCRF | £208,440,037 | £74,776,327 |
| PSCRF | £49,495.84 | None |
Cladding remediation fund December update (2)
Question No: 2019/20914
Andrew Dismore
How many high-rise residential buildings in London in receipt of funds from the remediation funds have a) started and b) completed works?
Answer for Cladding remediation fund December update (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Cladding remediation fund December update (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
A total of 35 buildings in scope of the Social Sector Cladding Remediation Fund (SSCRF) across London has received start on site payments (stage 1) from the GLA. Out of the 35 high-rise residential buildings from the SSCRF, eight have received payments for completion (stage 2).
No buildings in scope of the Private Sector Cladding Remediation Fund have received payments or submitted full works applications so the start and completion dates are unconfirmed. The GLA is working hard to administer the Fund as swiftly as possible and my team is in daily contact with Applicants to bring forward applications urgently.
Cladding remediation fund December update (3)
Question No: 2019/20915
Andrew Dismore
Please list all the organisations that have received money from the cladding remediation funds in London and state how much money each has been allocated, and for how many buildings.
Answer for Cladding remediation fund December update (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Cladding remediation fund December update (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
The Government and local authorities are aware of and monitoring the remediation of all buildings in England with aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding. Residents of these buildings should also be kept regularly informed. However, releasing a list of organisation names in receipt of funds may compromise the anonymity of these buildings. This would risk the safety of residents in these buildings.
Cladding remediation fund December update (4)
Question No: 2019/20916
Andrew Dismore
What is the a) modal average, b) highest and c) lowest number of state aid forms that have needed to be collected to progress remediation in private high-rise residential buildings accessing the GLA-administered fund?
Answer for Cladding remediation fund December update (4)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Cladding remediation fund December update (4)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
The Private Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund application process is split into two stages: an eligibility submission, followed by a fully costed application. State Aid declarations are considered when the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government considers a full application and approves a grant amount. As of 11 December 2019, no London buildings had reached this stage in the application process.
Cladding remediation fund updates in future
Question No: 2019/20917
Andrew Dismore
Will you publish a monthly update on the activity of the cladding remediation funds administered by the GLA?
Answer for Cladding remediation fund updates in future
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Cladding remediation fund updates in future
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
The Private and Social Sector Cladding Remediation Funds are Government-led programmes and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government publish a monthly data release on buildings with aluminium composite material cladding in England. The GLA will explore the possibility of providing a monthly update specifically for London.
Dr Barbara Lane’s comments on high-rise residential buildings
Question No: 2019/20919
Andrew Dismore
What assessment have you made of the concerns over safety in high-rise residential buildings with ACM cladding outlined by Dr Barbara Lane in her report to the chair of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry?
Answer for Dr Barbara Lane’s comments on high-rise residential buildings
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Dr Barbara Lane’s comments on high-rise residential buildings
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report drew on evidence submitted by many expert witnesses, including that of Barbara Lane. Her observations on the safety of ACM buildings and the approach to remediation are an important contribution towards the final recommendation made by Sir Martin Moore-Bick. I have committed to doing everything within my power to ensure that the Inquiry’s recommendations are implemented, and ensuring those responsible are held to account.
Prioritisation of cladding remediation
Question No: 2019/20920
Andrew Dismore
What steps have the GLA and other Mayoral bodies taken to identify the highest priority buildings with ACM cladding for remediation and progress those works?
Answer for Prioritisation of cladding remediation
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Prioritisation of cladding remediation
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
The Government’s piecemeal approach to building safety makes it very difficult to prioritise based on risk. However, rest assured the GLA is progressing any building that comes forward through these Funds with urgency.
Purchase of flats affected by flammable cladding
Question No: 2019/20921
Andrew Dismore
Has the GLA considered purchasing the flats of private sector leaseholders affected by ACM cladding?
Answer for Purchase of flats affected by flammable cladding
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Purchase of flats affected by flammable cladding
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
The problems leaseholders across the country are facing in selling and remortgaging homes affected by safety issues must be addressed urgently by the Government. In the first instance, the Government should revise and consolidate the Advice Notes they have issued so that building owners and mortgage lenders have greater clarity about what remediation is required to make a building safe.
Supply chain for cladding remediation
Question No: 2019/20922
Andrew Dismore
Have building owners in the social or private sector raised any concerns with the GLA about the availability of materials, workforce and other inputs which are needed to remediate buildings with ACM cladding?
Answer for Supply chain for cladding remediation
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Supply chain for cladding remediation
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
Applicants have cited skills shortages, particularly of competent professionals, most notably fire engineers. My team is working closely with applicants to understand the challenges they face in remediation to ensure buildings are made safe as quickly as possible.
Fire safety and borough funds (1)
Question No: 2019/20923
Andrew Dismore
Have London boroughs and other social sector landlords raised any concerns with the GLA about the impact on their Housing Revenue Accounts, reserves, or other funds, arising from the costs of making buildings fire safe?
Answer for Fire safety and borough funds (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Fire safety and borough funds (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
My officers are in regular contact with social sector landlords to understand the impact of increased building safety costs. Many have highlighted that these costs mean that funds are diverted from other priorities, including investing in new affordable homes.
Fire safety and borough funds (2)
Question No: 2019/20924
Andrew Dismore
What impact has the need for boroughs and other social sector landlords to spend money on fire safety improvements had on their ability to meet your affordable housing targets?
Answer for Fire safety and borough funds (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Fire safety and borough funds (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2019/20923.
Camden borough legal case against Rydon et al
Question No: 2019/20926
Andrew Dismore
What support can the GLA offer to Camden borough in their worthy but expensive legal case against the contractors that collectively left the Chalcroft estate in an unsafe state?
Answer for Camden borough legal case against Rydon et al
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Camden borough legal case against Rydon et al
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
A condition of the Social Sector Cladding Remediation Fund is to ensure all legal action and/or recovery through warranties and insurance is being pursued where reasonable. It is not the role of the GLA to intervene directly in these efforts, but my team is in close contact with London Borough of Camden.
Fire safety qualification and training contract award (1)
Question No: 2019/20930
Andrew Dismore
In relation to DMFD25 on the award of a fire safety training contract, what is the reason for this training not being provided through the overarching Babcock contract?
Answer for Fire safety qualification and training contract award (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Fire safety qualification and training contract award (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
The London Fire Brigade’s Corporate Management Team decided to remove the fire safety qualifications from the Babcock contract because the sub-contract between Babcock and a third-party supplier failed when the supplier could no longer provide the service. Interim arrangements were made with Fire Service College to honour the training commitment and following a tender process, Exact Training have been providing the training, with an indicative saving of £40 per delegate per qualification.
Fire safety qualification and training contract award (2)
Question No: 2019/20931
Andrew Dismore
In relation to DMFD25 on the award of a fire safety training contract, was an in-house option considered before the tendering of this contract?
Answer for Fire safety qualification and training contract award (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Fire safety qualification and training contract award (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
London Fire Brigade does not have awarding body status and was, therefore, unable to provide an accredited course framework to deliver training that leads to qualifications.
Question No: 2019/20932
Andrew Dismore
In relation to DMFD27 on the budget for new fire boats, why is the new maximum budget of £5,908,000 more than double the previous cost allocated of £2,500,000?
Answer for Fire boat replacement costs
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 December, 2019
Officers are drafting a response
Fire boat replacement costs
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 January, 2020
The original budget was set in relation to an ‘off the shelf’ boat based on the original 20-year-old specification of London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) existing boats and not on a detailed specification to meet the needs of LFB, as that specification was unknown at the time. The new maximum budget was submitted in response to the tender bids received. However, the actual cost of the winning bid is £3,814,024, so the capital strategy budget has been amended down to this figure and reported accordingly.
