The Housing Fire and Building Safety Panel is scheduled to discuss a range of important topics concerning fire and building safety within Camden Council's housing portfolio. Key areas for discussion include updates on internal housing stock condition surveys, a programme addressing fire compartmentation risks in commercial properties, and fire safety training for residents. The panel will also review performance on compliance across various safety checks and consider updates on building safety cases and Awaab's Law.

Commercial Properties Fire Compartmentation Programme

A significant focus of the meeting is expected to be the Camden Council's approach to managing fire compartmentation risks within its extensive portfolio of 990 commercial properties. Many of these properties have residential accommodation above or adjacent to them, bringing them under the purview of the Building Safety Act. Intrusive fire compartmentation surveys, initiated in 2023, have been conducted on 440 out of 468 targeted properties. These surveys have identified that 147 properties will require remedial works, such as upgrading ceilings, walls, fire stopping, and replacing fire doors. The report is set to outline pilot work undertaken at two properties, 66 Marchmont Street and 38 Great Russell Street, and detail the wider programmed work planned to mitigate these risks across the entire portfolio. The financial implications of these works are substantial, with estimated costs over 10 years for the Housing Revenue Account and General Fund, potentially requiring the use of capital receipts to avoid additional borrowing costs.

Update on Internal Housing Stock Condition Survey

The panel is scheduled to receive an update on the council's ongoing internal stock condition survey of tenanted homes. This survey is crucial for informing investment decisions and managing risks within properties, aligning with the Regulator for Social Housing's (RSH) Safety & Quality Consumer Standard. The council has expanded its survey efforts to cover 100% of the interiors of tenanted homes, aiming for information that is no more than five years old. By March 2026, up-to-date information on the interiors of almost 70% of tenanted homes had been gathered. The survey assesses the condition of kitchens, bathrooms, and other internal elements relevant to the Decent Homes standard, as well as collecting data for energy performance ratings and Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessments. The report will detail the programme's delivery, including the work of external surveyors MLCS3, and the outcomes of the surveys, such as the identification of non-decent homes and serious hazards.

Performance on Compliance Q4 2025/26

An update on compliance across fire, legionella, asbestos, gas, electrics, and lifts (FLAGEL) for the housing portfolio during the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year is to be presented. This report will also include Q4 performance on safety Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) for 2025/26, an update on the progress of fire safety actions, and information on Building Safety Case submissions. Furthermore, the panel will receive an update on performance against Awaab's Law, which sets out timeframes for addressing damp and mould hazards and other health and safety issues in social housing. The report highlights that while performance in many areas is strong, challenges remain with lift safety inspections and securing access for electrical checks. The implementation of a new IT system, 'True Compliance', for managing fire risk assessment actions is also noted as a significant development.

Fire Safety Training for Residents

The panel will be updated on ongoing work to inform and train residents of council homes about fire and building safety. This includes the Your Home, Your Learning programme, which aims to extend its offer to cover Safety in the Home. Formal fire warden training, currently provided to council staff and community representatives, is proposed to be extended to District Management Committee (DMC) and Tenant & Resident Association (TRA) representatives who manage TRA halls and rooms from September 2026. An online fire safety quiz has been developed and piloted with residents, with plans for a wider rollout to increase resident awareness and engagement with fire safety.

Panel Terms of Reference Review

A review of the Housing Fire and Building Safety Panel's terms of reference is scheduled. This annual review was deferred to consider potential changes in government policy following the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report. The report will propose updates to the terms of reference, including the incorporation of Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (RPEEP) Regulations into the panel's objectives. Changes to the membership section are also proposed to reflect the results of recent local government elections.

Forward Plan

The panel will consider its future work programme. This includes standing items such as compliance performance reports and updates on the Chalcots Independent Review Phase 2. The forward plan also indicates that reports on Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs) and the implementation of Grenfell Inquiry recommendations will be presented at future meetings, subject to government updates and publications.

The meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, 22 June 2026, at 6:30 PM in Committee Room 1 at Camden Town Hall.