Agenda item - Fire Safety Update

35.1    Grant Ritchie, Lead Consultant – Health & Safety introduced the report      which was an update on recent works which had been carried out on            two blocks.

35.2    Officers highlighted the fact that they had now done work with the chosen contractor to install sprinklers in communal rooms and          each flat would be given the option to have a sprinkler located by the

            door.  They hoped that this new package would be more acceptable to       residents.

35.3    Officers stated that the Scheme now needs to be accelerated in order         to meet the Council’s target of ensuring that all Council properties in             the City are updated within five years.

35.4    In response to residents’ questions on why the uptake for the scheme       had  been slow, Officers confirmed that the bright orange appearance             of the 2 inch pipe required by the installations had probably deterred          some residents, since correct cladding and positioning was important       to ensure that they did not dominate rooms.

35.5    In response to queries from residents on the cost and funding of this          scheme, Officers confirmed that there was £ 3,000 plus funding available to residents for blocks of 6 floors and above.  Officers stated          that the funding had already been allocated from the HRA and that they    continued to work with the East Sussex Fire &         Rescue Service. 

35.6    RESOLVED – that the Panel agreed to note the report.