Building Safety - Colne & Mersea blocks

Welcome to the Colne and Mersea Building Safety page.

This page has been set up to provide all Colne and Mersea tenants and leaseholders with information and updates about the ongoing works on the two blocks.

LATEST UPDATE:

07/06/24

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 18^th July, 7pm, Barking Town Hall Committee Room 2.

04/03/24

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 14th March at 7pm in the Town Hall, Committee Room 2.

14/12/23:

As we have been discussing with you at our open meetings, essential changes to the current external design of the block are required. Most are minor and insignificant, but some flats with windows which face out onto the alcove, will have their kitchen window replaced with a slightly smaller, non-opening window with ventilation provided by an appropriately sized mechanical ventilator. This is to prevent a fire jumping across the void to the flat opposite - Click on the link to view the new external design drawings.

*Please note, these drawings are for information only and not for consultation, the design as seen on these drawings are required by the current fire regulations.

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We are looking at a 48 week process (estimate) and we need to think about when we do the works. If they start in October, then the building will be exposed in the worst of winter.

In the meeting on the 8th of June, there was an agreement that it may make more sense to wait until Spring 2024 to begin the works, for the below reasons:

• It gives more lead-in time in terms of securing additional funding from central government
• It gives more time to get information and work with residents as part of the decision making and procurement processes
• Residents don’t want the Council to rush the decision making process and the works – they want to be part of the decision making process
• If we don’t rush the decision making process, then we have a better chance of getting all of the works done right at once.

We are keen to hear your views before we make this decision.

Resident Priorities:

At the first tenants working group meeting, held in Abbey Community Centre, the following resident priorities were proposed, which the Council will be expected to give regular updates on:

• Heating system, meter and costs
• Cladding and overall safety works (new cladding design and appearance)
• Windows replacement
• Procurement of contract and resident involvement in decisions
• Schedule of works and how they’ll fit with peoples lives
• Scaffolding and security worries for flats
• What will the costs be for leaseholders
• Concerns over mental health and well-being of residents within the block
• Access to flats for support services for vulnerable people - link up to adult social services

A poll has been set up where you can vote for which priorities you think are most important, or where you can suggest new priorities if you think any are missing.

Please click the link below to have your say on when you think the work should start and list your priorities

Complete the Poll here

Background information

A survey in December highlighted that the insulation beneath the cladding on Colne & Mersea blocks does not meet the current safety standard i.e. to be non-combustible. As a result, the Council are replacing it with a suitable alternative. We are currently working with a specialist contractor to plan and deliver these works. We want to work with you throughout the process, hear your views and design the programme of works together with you so that we can minimise disruption as much as possible.

Steps are now being taken to ensure the safety of residents and make them feel safe.

This includes the following actions:

A 24-hour patrol, seven days a week has been put in place. This patrol can raise the alarm if a fire were to start in your block, day or night and they will help evacuate tenants to the designated assembly point at Harts Lane Sports Court..

Alarms which detect smoke and heat, will be fitted into every home.

There will be an increase in the monitoring of the CCTV system that monitors the communal areas within the blocks.

Evacuation plans have been drawn up for anyone who would need assistance evacuating the building. Please let your Landlord Services Officer know if you feel you need one by calling 020 8724 3000 or emailing housingservicesoffice@lbbd.gov.uk

Staff will be regularly on site to answer any questions.

The Fire Brigade have been notified of the situation. If, due to an event, residents are instructed to evacuate the block, the assembly point is at Harts Lane Sports Court.. There is signage throughout the blocks, directing tenants to this assembly point.

You can find information and updates about the ongoing works in your blocks on this page and in the noticeboards in your buildings communal areas.

EVACUATION PLAN

Resident safety is our priority!

The fire strategy of the building has been changed from 'Stay Put', to an 'Evacuation' order. Trained Fire Safety Officers will be monitoring and patrolling the building(s) searching for signs and hazards of fire and hazards. Patrols are conducted at regular intervals through a 24hr period. In the event of a fire, residents are to immediately leave their flat in a safe manner. go to the designated assembly point at Harts Lane Sports Court. There is signage throughout the blocks, directing residents to this designated assembly point.

FIRE SAFETY TIPS

The London Fire Brigade offers the Home Fire Safety Checker - a free online tool which guides you through an assessment of your home, helping you to uncover fire risks and giving you tailored advice. https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/home-fire-safety

In total, we have over 1,500 FRAs that are being regularly reviewed to ensure the safety of your homes by ensuring we deal with the required actions. You can access these for your home, if you contact your local landlord officer

Fire Safety Do’s and Don’ts

In the case of an emergency, please ring 999