Council reveals details of new fire safety pact

Councillor Ian Wingfield, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, and Andy Snazell, Borough Commander, last month signed a memorandum of understanding which commits the two organisations to close working, dialogue and a common goal of promoting fire safety.

Councillor Wingfield said: "I want to make sure every home in Southwark is safe. I am therefore delighted to have signed a memorandum of understanding with the LFB. As London's largest local authority landlord it is crucial that our two organisations work together to ensure that our blocks are as safe as they can be.

"The council has a detailed bank of information on the fire safety of all its blocks. We are creating a public register so residents can know when the last inspection was, what risks have been found and what work is being done to address them. There is a £19 million programme of fire safety works underway and I want to make sure that every resident can see how this money is being spent."

The memorandum

The full memorandum is available from the press office. The memorandum commits the two organisations to the following

LFB will

• Provide fire safety advice on technical issues where requested by London Borough of Southwark (LBS)
• Consider information provided to it by LBS and comment on any issues arising from this
• Seek to use informal action and dialogue to attempt to resolve any concerns prior to moving to formal enforcement
• Appoint a fire safety officer as a single point of contact for LBS to consult on operational and community safety matters.
• Appoint a senior fire safety officer as a single point of contact for LBS to consult on fire safety
• Agree to meet on a regular basis (every three months) to review this protocol and work to achieve our mutual objective.
• Review and input into the LBS programme of fire safety works

Southwark Council will:

• Provide fire safety information to all residents
• Provide information to LFB on the status of its FRA programme, and prioritisation of works to deal with risks
• Comply with all fire related legislation
• Identify and minimise the risk of fire to vulnerable residents
• Appoint a single point of contact for London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) to consult on fire safety issues and operational matters
• Agree to meet on a regular basis (every three months) to review this protocol and work to achieve our mutual objective
• Share information, intelligence and operational information with LFEPA with a view to aligning protocols and procedures

The move comes as Southwark council puts into action plans for an online register of fire risk. The council has a comprehensive bank of information about the fire safety of its blocks and wants to give residents access to important information about their home.

The fire risk register, which will be located on the council's website, will list all of the council's buildings and when an inspection was last carried out. There will also be an option to apply for the entire report.

Southwark Council has a fire risk assessment for every building that needs one. But the council has also completed a programme of intrusive inspections on all its high rises. These involve looking at the fabric of the building, under ceilings and behind walls if necessary.

Following the inspections, works are commissioned to address any risks. In 2009/10 the council allocated £4 million for fire safety works that resulted from these checks. It has now put aside a further £5 million a year for the next three years.