News from Westminster Labour

Westminster Labour call for tower block fire safety checks

Labour Councillors are calling for Westminster Council to reassure residents that vital safety checks have been carried out following the fatal fire in Lakanal House in Camberwell.

Labour Councillors have asked that thorough safety checks be carried out in blocks across Westminster and have stressed the importance of thorough checks, and of the council seeking assurances about housing association-owned properties in the borough as well.

Labour Councillors have asked:

* How many blocks in Westminster feature a single, central staircase, like Lakanal House, and what fire safety assessments have been carried out?
* Do any such buildings comply with current fire regulations, as opposed to those that date to when they were built?
* What measures have been taken to retard the spread of fire between individual flats and between floors, including the issue of falling debris setting light to lower floors?

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said:

“We want to make sure that tenants and leaseholders in housing blocks are properly protected against the dangers of fire. We have asked for the Council’s reassurance that thorough checks are being carried out, and that the Council is approaching housing associations with blocks in Westminster to make sure those homes are safe too. We will be putting pressure on the council to make sure that any fire safety work that is needed is carried out as a top priority.”

Other news from Westminster Labour

• Twelve questions for the next Leader of Westminster Council - 10 February 2012
• Westminster Council joint bottom of London league for Adult Social Care - 6 February 2012
• Westminster Labour calls for an 'outbreak of democracy' over election of new council Leader - 2 February 2012