We are aware that following the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower in Kensington, people will understandably be concerned about the possibility of something similar happening in our districts.

While we have no tower blocks in Chiltern or South Bucks, our registered accommodation providers do have some large blocks of flats.

We wish to reassure residents that immediate steps were taken when we learned of the Grenfell Tower tragedy requesting that our partner housing associations and housing providers update us on their fire risk assessments. We are also asking for information on any refurbishments that may have been undertaken, particularly any which included external insulation similar in design to that used on the Grenfell Tower building. We are not currently aware of any.

Safety of the people we accommodate is of paramount importance to our two Councils and we take our duty of care very seriously. Our officers work diligently with housing partners, associations and private landlords, to ensure safety standards are maintained but in the light of this recent disaster greater emphasis is being placed on this work, and all accommodation providers are being asked to confirm that comprehensive safety measures, including evacuation procedures, are in place.

We have all seen the footage of the terrible events of the Grenfell Tower fire and the human suffering which continues to unfold. Our thoughts are with those affected, and with the emergency service personnel who have been so professional in the face of unimaginable horror.

For information, please find statements from our housing association colleagues

http://www.lqgroup.org.uk/about/media-centre/news/details/28

http://www.paradigmhousing.co.uk/latest-news/655-grenfell-tower-fire

https://www.hightownha.org.uk/news/corporate-press-releases/grenfell-tower-fire/

Message from:

Cllr Isobel Darby, Leader Chiltern District Council

Cllr Ralph Bagge, Leader South Bucks District Council