February 2020 written Mayoral answers
Victims of Crime in Bloomsbury and the West End
Question No: 2020/0229
Andrew Dismore
Further to your answer to Question No: 2019/19933, local hospitality businesses and residents report that the figures given are a woeful underestimate of the extent of crime perpetrated against visitors to London. What action will you take to ensure that visitors are not preyed upon, giving the capital a bad name and hitting such an important industry to London’s economy?
Victims of Crime in Bloomsbury and the West End
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response. Please be advised that there may be some delay as the information also requires input from functional bodies.
Victims of Crime in Bloomsbury and the West End
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
The provision of accurate information on tourists as victims of crime is difficult as there is no mandatory requirement on victims to identify themselves as tourists. Using the data available to them and working in partnership with local authorities, the MPS have identified robbery and theft hotspot areas and are intensifying interventions in areas frequented by tourists. This involves the use of unmarked cars, CCTV trawling, searches of areas for suspects with witnesses and securing forensic evidence. The MPS has seen the success that these targeted operations can deliver, such as Operation Venice which lead to a 50 per cent drop in moped-enabled crime. MOPAC and the MPS continue to work in partnership with businesses and local authorities to ensure that London remains a safe and vibrant place for tourists and residents alike.
New Year’s Parade and air pollution
Question No: 2020/0232
Andrew Dismore
At The New Year’s Day Parade in central London the air pollution caused by the poisonous exhausts of participating classic cars, such as Rolls Royces, Bentleys, Mokes, Minis, and Aston Martins was exacerbated by engines running when they were parked stationary and with revving up engines to show off. If such cars are included next year, what will you do to ensure such pollution is minimised?
Answer for New Year’s Parade and air pollution
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 January, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
New Year’s Parade and air pollution
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
London’s New Year’s Day Parade is an important annual cultural event that celebrates our unity and diversity, showing that London is open to all. It is essential that spectators are able to enjoy the festival free from breathing in toxic air pollution.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone was in operation on New Year’s Day, which will have reduced the number of older, polluting vehicles in the area. However, vehicles with a historic tax class or constructed before 1 January 1973 are exempt from the scheme. This is because it is not possible to fit emissions abatement equipment to them to bring their emissions within the required limit.
Despite this, it is imperative that they play their part in reducing emissions and my officers are writing to the parade organisers to ensure that engine idling and revving have no part to play in future events.
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
Command unit crewing (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
The Command Unit Integration Project started on the 16 October 2019, with the first command unit planning to be integrated into watches in November 2020. The proposed rank structure, which is subject to approval at the Commissioner’s Board in February 2020, will provide a minimum crewing level of three – an increase from the current minimum of two. The proposed rank structure is as follows: one sub-officer; one leading firefighter; and a minimum of one firefighter.
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
Fire cover in Lambeth
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
London Fire Brigade (LFB) has modelled the effects of a temporary relocation of Lambeth’s fire appliances to support the redevelopment of Lambeth Fire Station. This work provided LFB with the best five possible options in temporarily locating Lambeth’s appliances, with the best two options being Chelsea and Clapham.
The London-wide average response time for all incidents at the time the modelling work was conducted was 5 minutes and 12 seconds for the first appliance and 6 minutes 13 seconds for the second appliance. This work also showed that Lambeth’s first appliance response time for all incidents is 4 minutes and 42 seconds, and 5 minutes 27 seconds for the second appliance.
The temporary relocation of Lambeth’s appliances to Chelsea and Clapham would see the average response time increase to 5 minutes 8 seconds for the first appliance and 5 minutes 35 seconds for the second appliance. This still provides Lambeth with a faster response time than the London-wide average for both first and second appliances.
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
National Operational Guidance for LFB
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/0033.
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
LFB training for critical skills
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
London Fire Brigade (LFB) officers have been in discussions with Babcock, the training provider, since October 2019 to reshape what is provided through the contract. The aspiration is to implement key deliverables from the HMICFRS action plan and the independent review of training to enhance the capability of training at LFB to the benefit of individual staff members, whilst ensuring that organisational training priorities are met. The appointment of a Major Change Project Manager to work with Babcock will be completed by the end of June 2020 with the project adopting a phased approach to completion in 2023.
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
Command training
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
Please see the response to Mayor’s Question 2020/0030.
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
Emergency vehicle driver training
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
Please see the response to Mayor’s Question 2020/0030.
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
Speed of remediation buildings with ACM cladding (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
Since the Private Sector Cladding Remediation Fund (PSCRF) opened for applications, no full works applications have yet been submitted to the Government’s applications board, and therefore none have been approved. One application for pre-tender support funding has so far been approved and £49,495.84 allocated.
My team is working closely with applicants to bring forward applications as quickly as possible, and helping the Government to streamline the application process. Unfortunately, however, the Government’s strategy for dealing with these buildings means that the pace of remediation is dictated by the building owners. It is also the case that designing safe replacement cladding solutions can take time, and building owners have reported difficulties in accessing competent professionals, as well as wider supply chain issues.
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
Evacuation of buildings with ACM cladding
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
London Fire Brigade does not hold information on how many high-rise residential buildings in London have been vacated due to the presence of unremediated ACM cladding or other fire safety problems. However, LFB assisted Camden Council in decanting four blocks within the Chalcots Estate in 2017. The decant was carried out because of unremediated ACM Cladding.
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
Organisations receiving funding through the cladding remediation funds
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
Releasing a list of the organisation which have received funding from the Private and Social Sector Cladding Remediation Funds may compromise the anonymity of ACM-clad buildings. This would risk the safety of residents in these buildings.
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
Completion of remediation works in London
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
I criticised the Government for committing to dates for remediation completion which were not based on evidence. Start on site and completion dates will only be confirmed once a building owner has entered into a contract for the remediation works. Many buildings in the private sector are still some time away from reaching this position. Even once the works contract is in place, remediation can take longer than anticipated if wider safety issues are uncovered, as has been the case in many social sector blocks. For these reasons, I will not speculate on when remediation will start and complete.
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
Accommodation for Grenfell Tower residents
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
It is unacceptable that families who have been through the trauma of losing neighbours, friends and family members have had to wait so long for a new, permanent home. I provided funding for the purchase of homes for Grenfell survivors and I have written to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the Government to highlight the rehousing failures.
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
Valuing high-rise buildings with flammable cladding
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
The new valuation process is a positive first step, but it is unlikely to resolve the crisis. For example, across the G15 group of London housing associations, there are at least 650 households currently unable to move or remortgage due to this issue.
This is a national problem. Before Christmas, members of my Homes for Londoners Board wrote to the Secretary of State urging decisive action from the Government. Amongst other things, this letter called on the Government to review and clarify the contradictory and confusing Advice Notes which have led to issues with the valuation process.
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
Total costs of building remediation
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
My team is working closely with partners across the housing sector to understand the impact of the building safety crisis. No single figure exists, but some organisations have produced estimates that give a sense of scale. For example, the g15 group of London’s largest housing associations has produced estimates based on assumptions about the likelihood that their tall buildings (over 18 metres) will require remediation and the likely costs that this would entail. Their central estimate is £4.3 billion, although the actual cost could be considerably lower or higher than this if different assumptions are used.
Many social landlords have highlighted that remediation costs are likely to restrict their ability to deliver new affordable homes. Before Christmas, my Homes for Londoners Board wrote to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local to point out the scale of the problem and call on the Government to widen the scope of existing funding to cover all types of unsafe cladding and interim safety measures.
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
Queen’s speech 2019 – building safety bill
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
My officers are in regular contact with Government officials about all aspects of its plans for building safety reforms. This includes responding to consultations on proposed reforms. Once the Government has published more detailed information on the content of the Bill, I will be able to respond in greater detail. In the meantime, my Homes for Londoners Board has written to the Secretary of State setting out urgent steps the Government should take on building safety.
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
Fires in care homes (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
The national incident recording system accounts for different types of property that might be regarded as ‘care home’s’. These include: ‘Nursing/Care Home/Hospice’, ‘Retirement/Old Persons Home’, ‘Other Residential Home’ and ‘Children’s Home’. For the first three categories (excluding ‘Children’s Home’), London Fire Brigade attended a total of 587 incidents between 2016 and 2019 which were primary fires.
A breakdown by the year, as requested, is set out in the response to Mayor’s Question 2020/0259.
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
Fires in care homes (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
Please see the table below:
| Property type | Year | Incidents | Injuries | Deaths |
| Nursing/Care Home/Hospice | 2016 | 39 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | 60 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 45 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 59 | 12 | 0 | |
| Total | 203 | 27 | 1 | |
| Other Residential Home | 2016 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 18 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 8 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 13 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 54 | 3 | 1 | |
| Retirement/Old Persons Home | 2016 | 84 | 14 | 0 |
| 2017 | 82 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 89 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 76 | 9 | 0 | |
| Total | 333 | 44 | 0 | |
| ALL | 2016 | 137 | 15 | 1 |
| 2017 | 160 | 23 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 142 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 148 | 24 | 0 | |
| Total | 587 | 74 | 2 |
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
Fires in care homes (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 24 February, 2020
The information requested is set out in the table below:
| Property type | Year | Notice of Deficiency (NoD) Issued | Enforcement Note Issued |
| Care Home | 2016 | 6 | 1 |
| 2017 | 5 | 3 | |
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | |
| 2019 | 10 | 1 | |
| Total | 26 | 9 |
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
Correspondence following the Lakanal House fire
The Mayor
Last updated: 09 March, 2020
Unfortunately, the London Fire Brigade is unable to locate copies of the original covering letters which were sent to all local authorities and housing associations at the time.
The posters and leaflets distributed as part of the Know the Plan campaign (launched in 2014) are provided.
Housing providers are also directed to a dedicated page on the LFB website on their responsibilities: https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/property-management/
