This meeting of the Housing and Fire Safety Advisory Panel was scheduled to include updates on the Council's fire safety compliance for the first quarter of 2024/25, an independent audit of the fire risk management system, and the annual report on the Fire & Building Safety Charter.

Fire Safety Performance in Camden Council Homes

The meeting was scheduled to hear a report on the Council's fire safety performance, including updates on compliance with fire, legionella, asbestos, gas, electrics and lifts (FLAGEL) for the first quarter of 2024/25.

The report, prepared by Sinéad Burke, the Head of Property Asset Management, was also scheduled to provide an update on the progress made in completing fire safety actions and the delivery of fire risk actions.

It was also scheduled to update the panel on the latest progress on Building Safety Case File submissions, which are required for higher-risk buildings under the Building Safety Act 2022. The report notes that the first five Building Safety Case Files were submitted to the Building Safety Regulator in Q1 2024/25. These buildings were 9A York Way, 1-80 Dalehead, 1-80 Oxenholme, 1-80 Gilfoot, and 1-161 Burnham.

Independent Audit of Camden's Fire Risk Management System

The meeting was also scheduled to receive a report on an independent audit of Camden’s fire risk management arrangements against the BSI Fire Risk Management System BS9997 criteria. The report, prepared by Michal Jankowski, the Head of Resident & Building Safety, was to set out the findings of the Audit and actions the Council would be taking in response.

The report says that

The Audit found that: • The Council has an extensive Fire Safety Management System in place. • That there is a clearly stated Fire Risk Management (FRM) policy setting out Camden’s understanding of how to comply with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order: 2005 & associated legislation. • There is clear leadership from the Corporate Management Team. • Staff throughout the Council have a sound appreciation of the need for fire safety management and how it affects their own job roles.

The report goes on to say that the audit identified four 'non-conformities' against BS9997 criteria and two ‘opportunities for improvement’. The report says that the Council will implement an action plan to put in place an updated FRM system which is aligned with BS9997 and addresses the recommendations of the audit.

Fire & Building Safety Charter Annual Report 2023/24

The meeting was also scheduled to receive the annual report on the Fire & Building Safety Charter, which sets out the council's commitments to working with residents to keep them safe in their council homes.

The report details the council's performance against its five charter commitments which are:

• We will work with you to keep your homes and buildings safe
• We will make sure you know how to stay safe at home
• We will be transparent
• We will always listen to you about safety
• Fire and building safety is up to everyone – play your part.

The report also highlights some areas for improvement in 24/25, including completing overdue fire safety actions, improving performance on gas checks on voids, and lift inspections, and addressing the ongoing challenge of access to homes, particularly street properties, to carry out essential safety checks.

Work Programme and Action Tracker

The meeting was also scheduled to review the Housing and Fire Safety Advisory Panel's work programme for the remainder of the year and to consider what to add to the 2025 work programme. This included discussions on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 Report and Recommendations and an update on actions from the July 2024 meeting of the Panel.