URL: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3765

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: To adopt the Building Safety Management Policy which sets out Gravesham Borough Council’s approach to ensuring its higher-risk buildings are safe and they meet the regulatory requirements set out in the Building Safety Act 2022, and secondary legislation.  

Content: To adopt the Building Safety Management Policy which sets out Gravesham Borough Council’s approach to ensuring its higher-risk buildings are safe and they meet the regulatory requirements set out in the Building Safety Act 2022, and secondary legislation.   The Cabinet were presented with a report that sought their approval to introduce a Building Safety Management Policy. The policy set out Gravesham Borough Council’s approach to ensuring its higher-risk buildings were safe and how they met the regulatory requirements set out in the Building Safety Act 2022, and secondary legislation.   The Head of Housing Operations stated that, even before the Grenfell strategy, Gravesham Borough Council had been at the forefront in creating a positive culture throughout the organisation in building safety and had started to install sprinkler systems in high rise blocks before it became legislation to do so.  The Councils positive and proactive approach to building safety had been recognised recently by attaining Champion Status by the ‘Building a Safer Future Charter’, of which the Council was the first local authority in the country to do so.   The Head of Housing Operations added that the policy outlined specific roles with designated responsibilities which formed the basis for monitoring building safety and ensuring accountability at all levels throughout the Council. The policy was likely to change and adapt with new legislation and central government guidelines.   The Compliance & Projects Manager guided Members through the report and outlined key aspects of the policy; the Cabinet noted that Gravesham had five higher risk buildings in the scope of the policy but they did not have dangerous cladding or other critical life-threatening issues and so the policy was not reactive to known issues, but a way to pull together the various strands of work that was undertaken to keep the buildings and Gravesham’s tenants safe.   The Cabinet made several comments:   The Chair praised the Policy and the officers proactiveness in making all high rise buildings in the Borough safe for residents; it was noted that the officers proactiveness meant that the Council had been ahead of the legislative changes that were now law, and he commended the requirement that the policy be reviewed annually. It was positive action that the Principle Accountable Person was now liable to a fine or up to 2 years in prison for failing to carry out their duties which should result in detailed work to make all the buildings safe. The policy was excellent, and it was worth noting that the policy was a requirement through new legislation, the Council had not been forced to create the policy due to unsafe buildings. Officers had already ensured all high rise buildings in the Borough were safe for residents and tenant engagement was maintained to a high standard   The Cabinet had several questions answered by the Head of Housing Operations and the Compliance & Projects Manager:   The policy was a live document and would be reviewed annually whether it was a requirement or not; if there were changes in legislation they would be picked up and inserted into the Policy. Additionally, any changes or additional details that stemmed from safety cases/site visits in higher risk buildings would also be added to the policy, if required The Private Sector Housing Team enforced safety standards applicable to private landlords in the Borough and the Council had a corporate responsibility to share good practice and work with the other landlords in Gravesham. The Head of Housing Operations agreed with the Chair that the Policy should be shared with private landlords, especially those that would be building high rise buildings, as it would be a good template for them to create their own building safety policies. There were currently five high rise building blocks that weren’t owned by the Council, instead operated by large housing associations. The Head of Housing Operations, agreed to reach out to those housing associations and share all available related documents   Resolved that Cabinet agreed:   1.     the content and the adoption of the Building Safety Management Policy as seen at Appendix 1   2.     authority be delegated to the Director (Housing) in consultation with Cabinet Member for Housing, to make any minor amendments to this policy to ensure compliance with legislation and guidance  

Date of Decision: May 27, 2025