Ensuring council homes are safe
Commitment 1
Ban contractors and products implicated in the Grenfell Tower fire from use by the council. Maintain complete ban on combustible materials in external walls
Lead
Cross-council.
Our progress
Our existing policy was reviewed against the Inquiry findings. The ban was put in place for all contractors implicated in the tragedy.
The extended ban is now in force. A check on the last three years of supplier payments didn’t show any of those contractors listed.
Next steps
All templates and documents, such as tenders and contracts, should include the new wording about the ban.
When this will happen
Procurement templates were changed in June 2025. Further minor changes need to be made due to a recent change in the contractor list.
Commitment 2
Implement new protocol for sharing information between departments about vulnerable residents
Lead
Cross-council.
Our progress
Arrangements are in place for vulnerable residents in council-owned housing as part of their Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs).
Next steps
We are reviewing existing plans for sharing data in emergencies and looking to improve data sharing between council departments. We are seeking national and regional guidance on gathering and sharing data.
When this will happen
We will review our plans and put a new protocol in place by March 2026.
Commitment 3
Speak directly to vulnerable residents about their experience of housing safety through surveys and focus groups
Lead
Housing Management and Housing Needs.
Our progress
Our Housing Needs team is working with residents through the Resident Reference Group to talk about their experiences.
Every year, we carry out surveys with people living in temporary accommodation.
The Housing Management Resident Safety Panel, which has been set up again, met on 24 March 2025. Our group for disabled residents, meeting every three months, will discuss this work at a future meeting.
Next steps
We are developing a new Housing Management Resident Involvement Strategy to consider the needs of disabled and vulnerable people.
We are planning a new forum to hear perspectives and concerns from residents with disabilities.
When this will be completed
We will consult on a draft Resident Involvement Strategy at the start of summer 2025. Our new forum will be established by November 2025.
Commitment 4
Ensure fire safety materials are accessible and available in multiple languages
Lead
Housing Management
Our progress
We are publishing fire safety materials on the website in multiple languages, with further translation offered on request.
Next steps
We are working to translate our publications on request. We would like to automate our provision to match people’s stated language preferences. We will work to understand the possibility of automating language preferences for resident communications.
When this will happen
We will review this by the end of September 2025.