Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: For Determination

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: November 24, 2025

Purpose: Following the publication of the Grenfell Phase II Report, Sean Ruth was commissioned to undertake an assurance assessment of the council's emergency preparedness. Sean Ruth published his findings with a series of recommendations aimed to enhance the borough's resilience against the growing risks posed by climate change and increasing global instability. All recommendations made were endorsed by the Corporate Resilience Group and report approved for implementation by the Corporate Leadership Team in August 2025. Report has been brought forward for Members to note and consider how the organisation is learning from Grenfell.

Content: RESOLVED:   3.1  That Cabinet approves the implementation of Sean Ruth's Recommendation 9: ‘Introduce a structured reporting process for elected Members; this should include annual reporting on resilience matters to enable the appropriate Committee to scrutinise the emergency preparedness, response and recovery arrangements. The assurance arrangements should be scrutinised and this should include that the learning of lessons from incidents and exercises are identified and implemented.’ 3.1.1  Context to recommendation 9 is detailed within Appendix 1. 3.1.2  Action required: 3.1.3  Members are to agree to review Resilience Standards for London annual return each January, via the appropriate Members assurance mechanism. 3.2  That Cabinet approves the implementation of Sean Ruth’s Recommendation 10: ‘In line with national and pan-London guidance, provide essential emergency planning and resilience input to elected Members through their induction and training programme; this will build on previous training that has been undertaken by elected Members. All elected Members should attend this training, which should be supplemented by the circulation of the Civil Resilience Handbook for Councillors in London Local Authorities produced by London Councils.’ 3.2.1  Context to recommendation 10 is detailed within Appendix 1. 3.2.2  Action required: 3.2.3  Members are to note the recommendation to circulate the Resilience   Handbook for Councillors to all Members. 3.2.4  Members to note the requirement to agree to a set resilience training programme per electoral term, requiring the attendance of all Members. 3.3  That Cabinet notes and acknowledges the Sean Ruth Emergency Planning Review 2025, with the recommendations made within.