Rob Barnes Corporate Director Communities, Partnerships & Housing

Please ask for: Lee Birch Direct dial: 01827 709709 Email: [email protected]

Date: 3 July 2017

Dear Resident

Supported Housing Fire Safety

As you will have seen via the national media, it is likely to be some time before the public inquiry is concluded into the tragic events at Grenfell Tower in London.

We want to continue to reassure you that we are following those events closely and working with community leaders, partners and your elected councillors to ensure that our supported housing fire safety procedures comply with the highest standards and best practice to keep you safe.

Once any recommendations are announced, we will review these closely.

Tamworth Council and Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Services (SFARs)

The Council and SFARs have been in close contact over the last few weeks. I am therefore pleased to be able to confirm:-

 Annual Fire Risk Assessments are in place for Supported Housing Accommodation and the Fire Service have checked these with us to ensure we have complied with all fire regulations. They are due again over July and August 2017 and will be carried out routinely – the same as every other year.

 We have reviewed our Supported Accommodation Handbook with SFARs. All residents living in supported housing have already been issued with a handbook, however we will shortly be issuing you with a new copy so you can refresh your memory on fire safety practices.

 SFARs have issued a fire safety leaflet which has been displayed in Chestnut Court lobby area as well as being issued to all residents. We have also taken the opportunity to attach this leaflet so you have your own personal copy so again you can refresh your memory on fire safety practices.

The next residents meeting at your scheme will be focusing on Health & Safety providing an opportunity to offer further reassurance and support to supported housing tenants. Your Support Worker will shortly be issuing you with an invite to the residents health & safety meeting.

In the mean-time, if you have any enquiries or concerns about health & safety at your scheme then please do not hesitate to contact your Support Worker. For routine repair enquiries please ring the usual Repairs Freephone number 0800 183 0044.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs Lee Birch

Lee Birch Housing Options Manager

Enc. Fire Safety Leaflet