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Morning Briefing: Grenfell Inquiry latest
The newspapers report the latest developments as a procedural hearing for the Grenfell Inquiry takes place
In the news
Unsurprisingly, the housing news in the national press is largely focused on Grenfell, as a hearing took place yesterday to determine how the public inquiry will work.
The Times reports that the police are still a year away from questioning Grenfell Tower suspects. This is based on comments from Jeremy Johnson, a lawyer representing the Metropolitan Police.
The Independent covered Mr Johnson’s speech, reporting that police are considering a range of charges related to Grenfell including manslaughter, corporate manslaughter, misconduct in public office and breaches of fire safety legislation.
Inside Housing also covered the hearing. Our focus was on Mr Johnson’s revelation that 383 companies were involved in the refurbishment of the tower.
We also reported that inquiry chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick is also considering establishing a consultative panel led by survivors.
The Guardian yesterday published an interview with Maxine Holdsworth, the Kensington and Chelsea Council official responsible for housing, about the difficulties in getting Grenfell survivors rehoused.
Inside Housing interviewed Ms Holdsworth back in October.
Aside from Grenfell, the Chronicle Live website is reporting that Your Homes Newcastle is consulting on a restructure that could lead to 80 job losses.
On social media
Inside Housing won News Provider of the Year at the Press Gazette British Journalism Awards last night – a prize usually won by national newspapers.
Many in the sector have taken to Twitter with their congratulations.
Well deserved - it took #GrenfellTower fire to expose that national media had largely given up covering local housing & planning issues & regulatory concerns. #BJA2017 t.co/O8lspv4glc
— Joel Benjamin (@Gian_TCatt)Well deserved - it took #GrenfellTower fire to expose that national media had largely given up covering local housing & planning issues & regulatory concerns. #BJA2017 https://t.co/O8lspv4glc
— Joel Benjamin (@Gian_TCatt) December 12, 2017
Huge congrats to everyone at @insidehousing, named News Provider of the Year last night. Incredible achievement for a trade publication! t.co/Ka2PtnENkJ
— David Pipe CIHCM (@DavidPipeCIH)Huge congrats to everyone at @insidehousing, named News Provider of the Year last night. Incredible achievement for a trade publication! https://t.co/Ka2PtnENkJ
— David Pipe CIHCM (@DavidPipeCIH) December 12, 2017
Snark all you like, but I’d give kudos to any awards that recognise @PeteApps and @insidehousing for their remarkable work on Greenfell #properjournalism t.co/BWjvE2Xr8e
— Tom Barton (@tombarton)Snark all you like, but I’d give kudos to any awards that recognise @PeteApps and @insidehousing for their remarkable work on Greenfell #properjournalism https://t.co/BWjvE2Xr8e
— Tom Barton (@tombarton) December 12, 2017
What’s on
- The second day of the Grenfell Inquiry procedural hearing takes place in London
- The National Housing Federation is holding roadshows about the funding of supported and sheltered housing, in Nottingham and Manchester
- The Chartered Institute of Housing hosts two seminars on fire safety management today. These take place in Exeter from 9am and Bristol from 2.15pm
Never Again campaign
Inside Housing has launched a campaign to improve fire safety following the Grenfell Tower fire
Never Again: campaign asks
Inside Housing is calling for immediate action to implement the learning from the Lakanal House fire, and a commitment to act – without delay – on learning from the Grenfell Tower tragedy as it becomes available.
LANDLORDS
- Take immediate action to check cladding and external panels on tower blocks and take prompt, appropriate action to remedy any problems
- Update risk assessments using an appropriate, qualified expert.
- Commit to renewing assessments annually and after major repair or cladding work is carried out
- Review and update evacuation policies and ‘stay put’ advice in light of risk assessments, and communicate clearly to residents
GOVERNMENT
- Provide urgent advice on the installation and upkeep of external insulation
- Update and clarify building regulations immediately – with a commitment to update if additional learning emerges at a later date from the Grenfell inquiry
- Fund the retrofitting of sprinkler systems in all tower blocks across the UK (except where there are specific structural reasons not to do so)
We will submit evidence from our research to the Grenfell public inquiry.
The inquiry should look at why opportunities to implement learning that could have prevented the fire were missed, in order to ensure similar opportunities are acted on in the future.
