We have secured more than £4 million in government building safety funding to help improve the outer walls of some of its high-rise residential buildings to meet new more stringent standards.
Further funding to take the total up to £6 million is expected to follow.
The grants are part of a government programme to help fund fire safety work on external walls in residential buildings in England. Here in Brighton & Hove, councillors are being asked to approve plans to spend the money on design and planning of future work on as many as 9 residential high-rise buildings.
We will also look to appoint contractors to complete the work as part of its ongoing commitment to improving building safety across council homes in the city.
If agreed by councillors, this work would include the planning, design and tendering of fire and building safety improvements for 5 high rise blocks on the Bristol Estate and others across the city.
While some social landlords accessing the fund elsewhere in the UK are able to use this funding to remove unsafe cladding, none of Brighton & Hove City Council’s blocks have the type of cladding found on Grenfell Tower.
Councillors are being asked to approve plans to use the funding for improvements to elements of exterior and curtain walls, replacing older spandrel and balcony infill panels and panelling around some stairwells.
While there is no immediate risk to residents or properties, this work will help the council meet modern building safety regulations and mitigate the costs of ongoing fire safety improvements.
If approved, the funding would be used to put in place a specialist team to oversee design and tendering of subsequent work, including fire engineers, façade engineers and specialist consultants.
Councillors will discuss the recommendations when its Cabinet meets on Monday 29 June.
We have already put in place a range of fire safety measures in our high-rise buildings, including new flat entrance doors, signage and enhanced fire alarm systems.
The report also seeks approval to set up a new fire safety framework contract for wider fire safety work on council homes already planned.
This framework will ensure best value for tenants and leaseholders, allow the council to use more local contractors and help ensure the quality of work and service residents require.
A report to the council's Cabinet sets out progress made across the key areas of safety and quality in the city's council homes.
Councillors have approved the new 'Homes for Everyone' housing strategy, setting the vision for housing services and support in the city for the next 5 years.