Sprinklers will be installed in all 13 residential high rise blocks run by Nottingham City Homes despite the Government providing no extra money for the work, the city council says.
Nottingham City Council and Nottingham City Homes are going ahead with the £8.5m installation using their own money.
The added safety measures will include fire sprinklers in each flat and all communal areas and an intercom and tannoy system upgrade or installation.
It comes after Government turned down a request to provide the money after claiming the sprinklers were ‘additional not essential’ to make the buildings safer.
The local authority planned to put the systems in after the disaster at Grenfell Tower in London last June, where around 80 people died in a council-run block which had no sprinkler system.
Councillors requested funding from the Government – which promised support to local authorities wanting to pay for extra safety measures after the disaster.
Nottingham City Council has since demanded answers, accusing ministers of breaking promises following the disaster.
Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing and Heritage Councillor Jane Urquhart said: “Following the Grenfell disaster, we carried out fire safety audits in all of our high rise blocks with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue and tenant representatives.
“The clear conclusion was that we needed to fit sprinklers in communal areas and flats, as well as upgrading or installing intercom and tannoy systems, to keep residents as safe as possible.
“We took government at their word when they said financial constraints would not prevent such work being carried out – but so far they appear to be going back on that promise.
“We will continue to urge them to help us fund this vital work, so that we don’t have to alter, delay or stop other housing improvements, but in the meantime we are pressing ahead with these safety improvements.”
(Picture: Natalie Oxford, cc-by-sa-4.0)
Nottingham City Homes will carry out the work. The group runs council housing in the city on behalf of the city council.
Nottingham City Homes Chief Executive Nick Murphy said: “This programme of fire safety improvements will offer further reassurance to the people living in the council’s high rise blocks.
“We will work closely with residents to keep them informed. We will hold information events in each block before works start, but if anyone has anyone concerns before then they should not hesitate to contact us.”
A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “Building owners are responsible for ensuring their buildings are safe for residents and we expect them to fund fire safety measures.
“But councils should contact DCLG to discuss their position if they have any concerns about funding essential fire safety works.
“Ministers have been clear we will consider financial flexibilities for councils who need to undertake essential fire safety work to make a building safe.
“We have not declined any such requests.”
