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‘More to be done’ to improve RBKC’s culture change post-Grenfell, Jenrick warns
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has issued a warning to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) arguing that “challenges remain” at the council as the government winds up its recovery taskforce in the borough.
In a letter to the council’s leader and chief executive, Mr Jenrick acknowledged that the council continues to make progress but a fifth report from the Independent Grenfell Recovery Taskforce showed “some challenges remain and that RBKC has significant work still to do in relation to culture change and improving relationships with the wider community”.
“I will not hesitate to take further action should there be insufficient progress,” Mr Jenrick added.
The taskforce was set up in 2017 to look at how the borough has handled the recovery from the Grenfell Tower fire in which 72 people lost their lives.
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The taskforce published its fifth and final report in March this year in which it concluded that the council’s relationship should be stronger than it is with the community.
Mr Jenrick noted that since the taskforce’s fourth report the council has produced an “ambitious” new housing strategy, with 95% of households from Grenfell Tower and Grenfell Walk permanently rehoused.
“The council has increased its focus on the economic development and skills agenda, strengthened the senior leadership team, and provided bespoke support for the bereaved and survivors.”
Mr Jenrick said he is confident that the foundations are now in place for RBKC to continue its improvement throughout phase two of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry without “intensive” support from the taskforce.
Oversight of the council’s improvement will now be overseen by Nick Hurd, independent advisor to the prime minister on Grenfell and the Grenfell Ministerial Recovery Group.
A Council spokesman said: “Grenfell recovery remains our number one priority and we continue to focus on honouring the commitments set out in our Recovery Strategy, including rehousing, providing personalised support to the bereaved and survivors through our Dedicated Service and delivering a range of initiatives to support the local community.
“Alongside this work, we continue to drive changes to our organisational culture, our services and our relationship with our communities. These changes have the lessons from Grenfell at their heart.”
