The Fire Committee of the Greater London Authority Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 23 June 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on fire safety in social housing, responses to previous committee outputs, and the committee's work programme.

Fire Safety in Social Housing

A significant portion of the meeting is scheduled to focus on fire safety within social housing in London. The report pack indicates that the committee will receive background information to inform questions posed to invited guests. These guests are expected to include representatives from Inclusion London, the G15 Residents' Group, the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), Newlon Housing Trust, and the London Fire Brigade (LFB). The discussion is expected to cover how effectively the LFB is fulfilling its fire safety enforcement responsibilities in social housing and the extent of fire safety issues experienced by residents.

The report highlights that the LFB is responsible for enforcing the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005¹ in the common parts of residential buildings, including social housing. While the LFB operates a risk-based inspection programme, a 2023 inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found that the LFB did not adequately prioritise Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs) based on risk. Although improvements were noted in a subsequent 2024 inspection, concerns remain regarding delays in completing remedial work identified by fire risk assessments (FRAs). Data from March 2026 indicates that while FRAs have been completed for 99.5 per cent of relevant buildings, 11.4 per cent of these identified life-critical fire safety defects related to external wall systems. The report also notes that landlords in the social housing sector are facing significant pressures, with several councils and housing associations in London having thousands of overdue fire safety actions.

Responses to Committee Outputs

The committee is scheduled to review responses received from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to the committee's report, Exposure to Fire Contaminants in London: A hidden, growing risk?² Appendices 1 and 2 of the reports pack contain these responses. Additionally, the committee will consider the LFB's response to the committee's letter regarding the wellbeing of London's firefighters, detailed in Appendix 3.

The report Exposure to Fire Contaminants in London: A hidden, growing risk? was published following the committee's discussions on the risks faced by firefighters. The LFB's response, dated 19 March 2026, addresses the committee's recommendations, including those related to establishing a UK-wide firefighter exposure and health monitoring programme and strengthening the Brigade's prevention-focused approach to firefighter health. The LFB also outlines its plans for a pilot exposure monitoring programme and updates on its PPE contract specifications.

The committee's letter regarding the wellbeing of London's firefighters, to which the LFB responded on 20 April 2026, followed a session discussing this issue. The LFB's response details how it analyses mental health and wellbeing data by occupational groups and roles, and its plans to explore how the 'IGLOO' framework could support its wellbeing strategy.

Fire Committee Work Programme

The committee is scheduled to note its work programme for 2026/27, including its meeting dates as agreed by the London Assembly on 11 May 2026. The report also mentions an informal briefing from the LFB on arson attacks that took place on 1 June 2026. The scheduled meeting dates for the committee are: 23 June 2026, 15 September 2026, 21 October 2026, 25 November 2026, 21 January 2027, and 3 March 2027. The topics for the meetings beyond the current one are yet to be determined.

Other Agenda Items

The agenda also includes standard procedural items such as receiving apologies for absence and chair's announcements, and declarations of interests. The committee is also scheduled to note its membership, terms of reference, and standing delegations. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 March 2026 are to be confirmed. A summary list of actions arising from previous meetings will be presented, along with a report on actions taken under delegated authority.