Issue - meetings

(i)       to note the report and the actions taken by Aberdeen City Council and its partners to review fire safety in high rise domestic buildings;

(ii)      to note the Council’s work programme, which was aligned with the Scottish Government Programme, provided at appendix 6 of the report;

(iii)      in relation to a question from Councillor McLellan, to note that the Interim Director for Communities, Housing and Infrastructure would determine the cost of issuing letters to all residents and circulate the information to the Committee;

(iv)     in relation to a question from Councillor Yuill, to note that the Chief Officer Corporate Landlord would provide the Committee with information relating to the number of work orders per building over the last five years including the costs of those orders; and

(iv)     to congratulate staff and partners for the high level management and response following the Grenfell Tower incident.

The Committee had before it a report by the Interim Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which provided assurance on the Council’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire and the approach taken to maintain fire safety in high rise domestic buildings.

The report recommended:

That the Committee notes –

(a)      the report and the actions taken by Aberdeen City Council and its partners to review fire safety in high rise domestic buildings; and

(b)      the Council’s work programme, which is aligned with the Scottish Government Programme, as provided at appendix 6 of the report.  

The Convener expressed his thanks to officers for the information that was provided to Councillors and the work undertaken following the Grenfell Tower Incident.

Councillor Townson sought clarification relating to the use of Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) as exterior cladding to buildings in Scotland, wherein the Building Standards Manager advised that there were three grades of ACM and that and that it was not permitted to use that cladding in some buildings.  He further advised that there were two buildings which had been identified as having ACM cladding however they did comply with the regulations.

Councillor McLellan sought information relating to the cost of issuing letters to all residents and whether other communication methods had been considered, wherein the Interim Director advised that she would determine the cost for issuing the letters and advise the Committee, and that it was important to get the information out to residents as quickly as possible and that digital methods could be explored for the future.

The Vice Convener sought information as to the total cost per building over a five year period for the remedial works carried out, specifically relating to fire remedial works, wherein the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord advised that he would look at all of the work orders for the properties and provide a cost to the Committee.

Councillors Cooke and Macdonald sought information relating to whether behaviours of tenants had improved with regards to communal areas, specifically in high rise buildings, with leaving objects lying around, wherein the Interim Director advised that a reminder letter would be issued to residents in June.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       in relation to a question from Councillor McLellan, to note that the Interim Director for Communities, Housing and Infrastructure would determine the cost of issuing letters to all residents and circulate the information to the Committee;

(ii)      in relation to a question from the Vice Convener, to note that the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord would provide the Committee with information relating to the number of work orders per building over the last five years including the costs of those orders;

(iii)      to congratulate staff and partners for the high level management and response following the Grenfell Tower incident; and

(iv)     to otherwise approve the recommendations contained in the report.