The Housing Fire and Building Safety Panel of Camden Council met on Monday 22 June 2026 to discuss a range of important fire and building safety matters. Key topics included a review of the panel's terms of reference, an update on the internal housing stock condition survey, and a programme to address fire compartmentation risks in commercial properties. The meeting also covered fire safety training for residents and a comprehensive report on compliance performance across various safety areas.

Panel Terms of Reference Review

The panel was scheduled to review its terms of reference, a process that typically occurs annually. This year's review had been deferred to allow for consideration of any changes in government policy following the second phase of the Grenfell Inquiry report. The report proposed updates to the panel's objectives to incorporate the publication of the Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan Regulations. Changes to the membership were also proposed to reflect the results of recent local government elections, including the omission of a reserved seat for the Green Party due to the formation of a Green Progressive Alliance group on the council.

Update on Internal Housing Stock Condition Survey

A report was presented detailing the council's ongoing internal stock condition survey of tenanted homes. This survey is crucial for informing investment decisions and managing risks within properties, aligning with the Safety & Quality Consumer Standard set by the Regulator for Social Housing (RSH). The council had procured a contract to expand the survey to cover 100% of homes, with an interpretation of up to date meaning information from within the past five years. By March 2026, up-to-date information on the interior of almost 70% of tenanted homes had been gathered. The scope of the survey was also expanded to include detailed physical inspections of private balconies.

Commercial Properties Fire Compartmentation Programme

The panel was to receive an update on Camden Council's approach to addressing fire compartmentation risks within its commercial property portfolio, which comprises 990 properties, many with residential accommodation above or adjacent, as mandated by the Building Safety Act. Intrusive fire compartmentation surveys initiated in 2023 had assessed the fire resistance standards between commercial and residential areas. Of the 468 properties targeted, 440 surveys had been completed, identifying that 147 properties would require works such as upgrading ceilings, walls, fire stopping, and replacing fire doors. The report outlined pilot work undertaken at two properties and the wider programmed work to mitigate risks across the portfolio. The proposed implementation strategy focused on completing works when commercial properties become vacant or are reassigned, with interim measures being considered to reduce risk in the interim.

Fire Safety Training for Residents

An update was scheduled on the ongoing work to advise and inform residents of council homes about fire and building safety. This included information on specific training being developed and delivered for residents and their representatives. The council's Your Home, Your Learning programme was being considered for extension to cover Safety in the Home. The report also detailed that the council's in-house Fire Safety Manager provides fire safety awareness training for District Management Committee (DMC) and Tenant & Resident Association (TRA) representatives twice a year. It was proposed to extend formal Fire Warden training to DMC/TRA representatives who manage TRA halls and rooms from September 2026. A pilot online fire safety quiz had also been developed and was being reviewed before a wider rollout.

Performance on Compliance Q4 2025/26

This report provided an update on compliance across fire, legionella, asbestos, gas, electrics, and lifts (FLAGEL) for the housing portfolio for the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. It also included Q4 performance on safety Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) for 2025/26, an update on the progress made to complete fire safety actions, an update on Building Safety Case submissions, and an update on performance against Awaab's Law. The report highlighted that several key services had moved to new providers, with some disruption to performance expected. The True Compliance IT system had been introduced to manage fire risk assessment actions and its use was being expanded to other compliance areas. Progress on the Voluntary Undertaking with the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) regarding fire safety actions was detailed, noting an increase in overdue actions due to the addition of previously unrecorded items. Updates on Building Safety Act compliance, including Building Assessment Certificates and Building Safety Case submissions, indicated that Camden was performing well ahead of national outcomes. The report also covered the implementation of regulations for Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs) and progress on Awaab's Law, which focuses on damp and mould hazards.

Forward Plan

The panel was presented with the intended work programme for future meetings, including scheduled discussions on compliance performance reports, the Chalcots Stage 2 Independent Review findings, updates on RPEEPS, and the implementation of Grenfell Inquiry recommendations. Items to be programmed in the future included an update on the Decent Homes definition and an annual review of the panel's work and terms of reference. An action tracker detailing actions arising from previous meetings was also provided.