Local councillor speaks out on fire safety

I wrote this morning to the Chief Executive of Canterbury City Council re fire safety in our tower blocks.  This is my note and the initial reply.  Our thoughts and the thoughts of all here at the Labour Group and Party are with the residents of Grenfell, their families and friends.

Hi Colin,

In view of the tragic events unfolding at Grenfell tower in west London, please could we undertake a full review of the structure and fire safety of Windsor House?

I’m aware also that Windsor House’s heating system is currently being reviewed and of course that it has been recently re-clad on the outside, both of which have been mentioned as possible factors in the Grenfell tower fire.

Many thanks,

Bernadette Fisher
Councillor for Gorrell ward

Message sent on behalf of Velia Coffey

Dear councillors

You will no doubt have seen the horrific pictures of the fire at Grenfall Tower in London this morning.

As you know, East Kent Housing (EKH) manages our housing stock on our behalf and we have three towers blocks in the district – Elizabeth Court and Margaret Court in Herne Bay, and Windsor House in Whitstable.

I’d like to reassure you that, over and above EKH’s routine programme of work on fire risk assessments, they will today be reviewing fire safety at all three blocks, in particular looking at fire alarms/detection systems, refuse chutes and ventilation.

EKH will also be in touch with tenants today to reassure them and remind them of the safety procedures for each block as agreed with Kent Fire and Rescue and set out in the fire risk assessments. This advice may vary according to the individual block.

It is obviously too early to speculate on what happened at Grenfall Tower but of course we would look at any lessons that come out of this fire.

Kind regards

Velia