Cladding issues MQT Feb 21 and late answers
Question No: 2021/0877
Andrew Dismore
Recent reports state that RICS is consulting on the use of EWS1 forms, particularly where there is no cladding visible on a high-rise building. Is this a reasonable action, given what we are learning from Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 2 around flammable insulation and poor compartmentalisation?
EWS1 changes (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 March, 2021
The evidence being uncovered by the Grenfell Inquiry is of utmost importance and I am following the proceedings closely. It is clear that there are widespread building safety issues that go beyond cladding and external walls and these must be addressed through more Government funding and the speedy introduction of the Building Safety Bill and the Fire Safety Bill.
The purpose of the EWS1 form is to facilitate lending. It is not the equivalent of a fire safety certificate and nor is it intended to be. I wrote to the Government in September 2020 to urge greater action to unlock the housing market, including more guidance to set parameters around the use of EWS1.
Question No: 2021/0878
Andrew Dismore
Recent reports state that RICS is consulting on the use of EWS1 forms, particularly where there is no cladding visible on a high-rise building. Given that London has a high proportion of the buildings affected have you been involved in any of these discussions?
EWS1 changes (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 March, 2021
The RICS consultation is mainly focused on property valuation and mortgages rather than fire safety. As you know, I am actively lobbying the Government for the change that is needed to resolve this situation. I wrote to the Secretary of State in September 2020 setting out five urgent steps that should be taken. I am still awaiting a response. I will continue to push for action and my team will closely monitor the RICS consultation response.
Question No: 2021/0888
Andrew Dismore
Are there any outstanding areas of discussion between yourself and the Government regarding the delivery of London’s portion of the Waking Watch Fund?
Waking Watch Relief Fund (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 March, 2021
The GLA has given in principle agreement to administer the Waking Watch Relief Fund in London, subject to a forthcoming Mayoral Decision. My Building Safety team is currently working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the delivery of the programme in London.
Question No: 2021/0889
Andrew Dismore
When do you expect the GLA to begin delivery of London’s portion of the Waking Watch Relief Fund?
Waking Watch Relief Fund (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 March, 2021
The GLA has given in principle agreement to administer the Waking Watch Relief Fund in London, subject to a forthcoming Mayoral Decision. My team is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to set the programme up and it is expected to open for applications in London in mid-March.
Fire Safety Inspecting Officers (1)
Question No: 2020/3469
Andrew Dismore
How many fire safety inspecting officers does LFB currently employ and how many does it predict it will need to deal with future demand?
Answer for Fire Safety Inspecting Officers (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 20 October, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Fire Safety Inspecting Officers (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 March, 2021
London Fire Brigade currently employs 84 Inspecting Officers and a further 40 Fire Safety Advisors who conduct ‘simple’ audits and should develop into Inspecting Officers. In terms of future demand, MHCLG have identified circa 62,000 premises in London that may fall within ‘higher risk’ categories that they may consider designating as being within scope of the new building safety regulator. That includes care homes, sheltered housing blocks, and hospitals where the vulnerability of residents is a crucial factor. The precise level of future demand is, therefore, currently unknown, although it is not expected to decline, and Inspecting Officers will continue to audit premises using a risk-based inspection programme.
LFB’s Fire Safety Department (1)
Question No: 2020/4463
Andrew Dismore
Has LFB’s fire safety department increased in size either in officer numbers or in workload since 2017? Please give staffing numbers and ranks for each year from 2017 to date.
Answer for LFB’s Fire Safety Department (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 December, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
LFB’s Fire Safety Department (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 March, 2021
There have been increases in both workload and staffing numbers across the London Fire Brigade’s fire safety department since 2017.
Following the Grenfell Tower fire, the fire safety regulation team has taken a more robust approach to the inspection and audit regime. The community safety function has taken on more pilot projects, carried out more collaborative working on other blue light projects and worked on the projected expansion of Fire Cadets. This has all contributed to an increase in workload and staffing.
The table below sets out staffing numbers by rank and grade, comparing the actual number of employees to establishment, from 2017 to date.
| 1 April 2017 | 1 April 2018 | 1 April 2018 | 1 April 2020 | As of 30 November 2020 | |
| Role/Grade | Est | Act | Est | Act | Est |
| Asst Commissioner | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Dep Asst Commissioner | 2.00 | 2.00 | 3.00 | 2.00 | 3.00 |
| GM/GC | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| SM/SC | 18.00 | 16.00 | 18.00 | 16.00 | 18.00 |
| WM B/ StnO | 47.00 | 38.00 | 46.00 | 37.00 | 44.00 |
| WM A/SubO | 57.00 | 48.83 | 59.00 | 46.50 | 59.00 |
| TMG 4/TMG C | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| FRS G | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
| FRS F | 10.00 | 10.00 | 11.00 | 10.00 | 9.00 |
| FRS E | 17.00 | 14.60 | 22.00 | 17.00 | 24.00 |
| FRS D | 16.50 | 15.19 | 20.50 | 17.30 | 37.60 |
| FRS C/D | 104.30 | 102.38 | 105.30 | 94.38 | 88.50 |
| FRS C | 29.00 | 27.79 | 35.00 | 30.39 | 56.20 |
| FRS B | 48.68 | 46.21 | 58.68 | 57.14 | 62.68 |
| Business Administration Apprentices | 5.00 |
Question No: 2021/0330
Andrew Dismore
Do you anticipate the Government’s Waking Watch Relief Fund will reduce the workload of LFB?
Answer for Waking Watch Relief Fund (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 26 January, 2021
Officers are drafting a response
Waking Watch Relief Fund (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 March, 2021
It is London Fire Brigade’s understanding that the Government’s Waking Watch Fund will not cover all the buildings in need of remediation as the scope of the fund and logistical details have not yet been established. Once automatic fire detection and warning systems have been installed in affected buildings there may be some reduction in the frequency of visits needed by London Fire Brigade (LFB). Until full remediation is achieved, visits from LFB will continue to be needed to help ensure interim measures are in place and are being managed appropriately.
Audits, Inspections and LFB resources
Question No: 2021/0331
Andrew Dismore
The need to carry out audits on high-risk high-rise buildings with fire safety defects and to continue safety inspections for those with temporary fire safety measures in place because of fire safety defects is creating additional work for the LFB and using up its resources. Will you press the Government properly to compensate the LFB for having to pick up the slack from ineffective building regulation and stepping in to make sure Londoners are kept safe until these defects are fixed?
Answer for Audits, Inspections and LFB resources
The Mayor
Last updated: 26 January, 2021
Officers are drafting a response
Audits, Inspections and LFB resources
The Mayor
Last updated: 02 March, 2021
Following the Grenfell Tower fire, London Fire Brigade (LFB) officers have worked with the Government to highlight the need for funding to account for the additional work required in carrying out audits across London’s built environment and will continue to do so.
The Government has provided LFB with a one-off grant funding of £2.3 million for the Building Risk Review and £3.2 million for other protection uplift work. I have called on the Government to make this funding permanent to ensure that the Brigade is funded for the additional workload on an ongoing basis in order to keep Londoners safe.
