Agenda item

[To receive an update on the Fire Safety measures being implemented by WV Living and Wolverhampton Homes]. 

The WV Living - Vice-Chair of the Company Board stated that at the previous meeting of the Fire Safety Scrutiny Group they had challenged them on their new build programme.  She was now pleased to outline in a letter to the Chair of the Fire Safety Scrutiny Group, included with the agenda pack, that sprinklers would be fitted in all new build homes for rent and sale at the building development at the Marches at Lakefield Road in Wednesfield.  This was the largest WV Living building development scheme to date in the City.  The second part of the letter was regarding a stronger approach to fire safety in all their new build homes.  As of June 2019, WV Living would be fitting integrated sprinkler systems in all of their future new build homes across the City.  They had an ambitious programme for house building across the City.  They already had 1000 homes in the pipeline and their first scheme had sold.  They were working with the WV Chief Operating Officer to plan their next commercial plan until 2026.  As part of the plan fire safety would be integral and integrated sprinkler systems would form a central part of their fire safety strategy.

Members of the Group applauded and thanked the WV Living Company Board for their stronger approach to fire safety and especially the news about sprinklers being included in all their new builds in the future.  This excellent news was most welcome, and Members of the Group completely endorsed the new approach.  Fire safety was of paramount importance, making any extra cost for sprinklers completely justified.  A fire could have a devastating impact and therefore any system which would help mitigate a fire was the correct approach.  They completely supported the contents of the letter to the Chair of the Fire Safety Scrutiny Group. 

A Member of the Group commented that the installation of sprinklers in new build WV Living properties was a huge positive step forward and would make all the difference for tenants.  She thanked the WV Living Team and the Chair of the Fire Safety Scrutiny Group who had recently given a presentation to the WV Living Company Board on fire safety. 

The Chair stated he would be presenting on fire safety at a regional level and was actually giving a presentation on the forthcoming Saturday.  In his role as Chair of the Fire Authority he hoped to influence the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) on fire safety matters and therefore hoped other local authorities would follow WV Living’s lead.  He believed other regions could be influenced by the work being carried out in the West Midlands.  He believed England should have the same standards of fire safety as Wales and Scotland for new build dwellings.  The new approach by WV Living he saw as a first step in a very long campaign moving forward.  He was extremely pleased with WV Living’s stronger approach to fire safety and thanked them for their collaborative approach with the Fire Safety Scrutiny Group.   Sprinklers would only add approximately 0.5-1% cost in new builds, which was about the cost of new carpets.  Insurance premiums would also be reduced but most importantly it would save lives. 

The WV Chief Operating Officer gave a short presentation on technical points regarding the fire safety strategy of WV Living.  The presentation slides are attached to the signed minutes.  He particularly highlighted that there was no incoming gas supply to any of the new build properties with all heating and cooking appliances being electric.  Management of the blocks including the maintenance of the communal areas would be provided by Wolverhampton Homes.  The WV Living Board would be reviewing the potential to use zero fire rated materials where possible.  All WV Living Board papers relating to property development proposals would in future include a reference to fire safety as a key consideration to be given in the design and costing of each scheme at the first stage.  

The Assistant Director Property Services – Wolverhampton Homes stated that he was pleased to confirm that all new build schemes for Wolverhampton Homes from the date of the WV Living letter to the Chair of the Fire Safety Scrutiny Group, included in the agenda pack, would also be fitted with sprinklers.  This would ensure consistency across the City and they would be working with City of Wolverhampton Council to ensure the scope and specification were identical.  Wolverhampton Homes did build on a number of infill sites across the City. 

The Chair of the Group praised Wolverhampton Homes for the decision that had been made on including sprinklers in new build schemes.  He was very proud of the exemplary attitude Wolverhampton Homes had shown over the last two years on matters of fire safety.  Wolverhampton Homes nationally had an outstanding name.  He asked the Assistant Director of Property Services for Wolverhampton Homes to pass on his and the Fire Safety Scrutiny Group’s appreciation of the action they had taken.  Members of the Group fully endorsed the Chair’s comment.  

The Head of Commercial Services and Stock Investment – Wolverhampton Homes stated that Wolverhampton Homes managed 36 tower blocks across the City.  There was also one Council owned block which was leased to Sanctuary Housing (Hampton View in Heath Town).  6 High rise blocks were privately managed.

The Head of Commercial Services and Stock Investment – Wolverhampton Homes gave an update on the infrastructure work being undertaken in the tower blocks managed by Wolverhampton Homes.  A copy of the presentation slides are attached to the signed minutes. The consultation with residents had already started on the first phase.  Open evenings about three months from delivery were normally held for residents explaining how they would be impacted by the work and the benefits.  They also met with lease holders. 

The Head of Commercial Services and Stock Investment – Wolverhampton Homes remarked that retro fitting of sprinklers would start in the Autumn.   Kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms and bathrooms would have sprinklers installed in the apartments in the tower blocks.  All communal areas would also have sprinklers installed.  The Fire Rescue Service would be notified automatically if the sprinklers were activated and a secondary signal would be sent to the Concierge Management Centre.  The current programme budget for the tower block improvements was approximately £29 million plus the costs of the sprinkler’s installation of a further £19.2 million.  It was anticipated that the budget would need to increase as they were finding further problems as they carried out works, which was to be expected given the age and condition of the buildings.

A Member of the Group congratulated Wolverhampton Homes on their work undertaken to date in Chetton Green Tower Block.

The Chair stated that he was grateful for the update from Wolverhampton Homes and he welcomed all the work they had completed and the work they had outlined would be undertaken in the future.