The Merton Conservative Group supports the campaign to remove dangerous cladding from high rise buildings and to protect tenants and leaseholders from the costs associated, and as such at February Council we are proposing to amend a Liberal Democrat motion to read as detailed below in order to ensure it recognises the work done on this issue both by Stephen Hammond MP and the National Government, while also laying out the steps Merton Council should take to help, support and protect those effected.
We hope all groups on the Council will join us in supporting this amendment.
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COUNCIL MEETING – 3 FEBRUARY 2021 NOTICE OF MOTION –
Remediation of cladding
Council notes:
- The Government’s responses to the Grenfell tragedy to date including the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, the commissioning of the independent review of building regulations and fire safety standards and also the establishment of the £1bn non-ACM and the £600m ACM cladding funds to address the legitimate health & safety concerns of occupiers in blocks of flats that had understandably been causing genuine stress and risking impact on residents' mental health
- The Council commends the Government, which has put forward the Fire Safety Bill and draft Building Safety Bill, which incorporate recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. The Fire Safety Bill will extend current fire safety obligations to exterior cladding and fire doors, and will apply to all flats, regardless of their height. The Building Safety Bill focuses on buildings over 18m.
- The Government has confirmed that making properties safe is the responsibility of building owners and developers in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and as supplemented by the various additional measures mentioned above. The Government is also expected to set out further measures in the upcoming Budget of 3 March 2021.
- The work and contributions of Stephen Hammond MP in working with the many Plough Lane residents and leaseholders and also with national cladding campaigns on this issue. The Council further notes the support given and the concern shown by Stephen Hammond to the residents and Mr Hammond’s work in lobbying and working with the Government and the Treasury on behalf of the leaseholders to request additional financial support to protect those who may be affected.
- Recognises the concerns of the leaseholders and residents at Plough Lane and other developments which may be impacted. Many owners, in buildings of all heights, have been experiencing problems with regard to the ability to remortgage/mortgage, buy or sell (in the context of the fire safety certification EWS1 forms) with residents and leaseholders (for example those in the flats at Plough Lane being understandably concerned about the prospective costs of remedial work.
- Council commends Merton officers for undertaking an audit of all residential blocks in Merton above 18m.
Council requests that Cabinet:
- Acknowledges the work and campaigns of groups such as the End our Cladding Scandal Campaign
- Further recognizes the work and campaigns of the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership (the LKP) and writes to Stephen Hammond MP and to Government to thank Stephen Hammond MP for his work and for his active support of the national cladding campaigns to date and to request that the Treasury gives favourable consideration to the proposals set out by the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership as the Government completes its work to finalise the national Budget scheduled for 3 March.
- Establish dedicated web pages on the Council’s website to offer help, support and useful information for affected residents, tenants and long leaseholders in both the private and social housing sectors and to access relevant support to deal with related issues including financial problems and mental health concerns, as well other useful relevant information (eg support concerning rogue landlords, ASB etc.)
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