HARLOW Council has made the decision to award a £630,000 contract to enhance fire safety in Morley Grove flat blocks.

The contract award was agreed at last night’s (13 October 2022) Cabinet meeting.

The works to 1 – 56 Morley Grove will include new entrance doors, cupboard doors, replacement of loft access doors, decoration throughout, replacement balcony handrails, replacement of external PVCu cladding and fire alarm installation and fire compartmentation works. 

The works have been identified following an updated fire risk assessment following revised government guidance. It is anticipated that works will start on site early in the next financial year (2022 to 2023). 

Following the Grenfell Tower fire, the council has an ongoing programme to support fire safety enhancements to tower blocks and flat blocks. The work in this programme is prioritised against fire risk assessments and changes to government guidance. 

Councillor Simon Carter, portfolio holder for housing, said:

“The need for these works has come about following an updated fire risk assessment after changes to government guidance. These works will enhance the safety of residents living in these blocks and update the external PVCu cladding. The safety of residents in our tower blocks and flat blocks has always been the council’s principal priority as a landlord. Updated fire safety information for our blocks are provided to tenants and updated annually. All tower and flat blocks are inspected regularly by Housing staff and by the fire services and this is to ensure that our flats are kept safe and risk assessments are updated and reviewed.

“Since the Grenfell fire, money has continued to be put aside for ongoing major works to meet the latest building safety and government guidance. This ensures that we can continue improving fire safety to reassure those living in our tower blocks and flats. May I reassure all residents of our flats that none of our buildings have any panels of a similar nature to those used in the Grenfell tower, but they do age and decay and lose their protective qualities.” 

The contract will be finalised once the Cabinet decision call-in process is completed next week