Fire safety actions update

Woking Borough Council has reportedly made progress on fire safety measures in its housing portfolio.

This follows the Regulator for Social Housing’s notice on 14 December 2023 for breaching fire safety standards.

The council has focused on addressing the 3,790 remedial actions identified in the Type 3 Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) conducted between February and August 2023.

The FRAs revealed significant fire safety issues, necessitating substantial resources to resolve.

Actions undertaken include completing External Wall Surveys on high-risk blocks and removing hazardous cladding.

The council has also appointed a Fire Safety Consultant and procured the ‘Compliance 365’ Fire Safety Module to manage FRA remedial actions.

Progress on fire safety measures

To date, 1,132 actions have been completed, with 645 in progress and 976 yet to start.

The council has taken several steps, including proactive tenancy management and resident engagement to maintain communal areas.

A resident fire safety communication plan is in development, with booklets and branded Fire Action Notices prepared for distribution.

High-priority FRA remedial works, valued at approximately £800,000, are underway, monitored through contract meetings.

Additionally, a specialist Building Project Management Consultancy has been procured to support the internal team in delivering fire safety works over the next 2-3 years.

Challenges and future plans

The council faces challenges with 1,066 actions overdue against FRA target timescales.

Focus remains on closing out the remaining 224 high-risk actions.

Recruitment for a fixed-term Building Safety Surveyor has commenced to bolster efforts.

A Draft Housing Fire Safety Policy has been created to outline the council’s obligations and strategies for managing fire safety risks.

This policy, included in the report’s appendix, aligns with legislation, completed FRAs, sector best practices, and external agency guidance.

Scrutiny and legal implications

The council has numerous legal duties regarding fire safety, as outlined in the Draft Fire Safety Policy.

Significant resources and budgets are being allocated to resolve fire safety actions.

The fire safety measures aim to reduce risks for residents and the council, with ongoing scrutiny to ensure effectiveness.

The Communities and Housing Scrutiny Committee is invited to review and provide feedback on the Draft Housing Fire Safety Policy.