Fire risk assessment failures
Systemic failures in fire safety, including inadequate risk assessments and unaddressed actions, posing risks to residents.
Source spread
Where this theme appears
This theme appears across 12 independent accountability sources, so the source mix matters as much as the headline total.
114 inquiry recs
71 PFD reports
114 committee recs
37 CQC actions
70 HMICFRS recs
1 NAO rec
16 IMB recs
18 IMB reports
1 patient safety alert
1 Scottish FAI
7 detention investigation recs
66 LGO/SPSO decisions
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Inquiry recommendations(114)— showing 50 strongest matches
FENN-121 — Install comprehensive fire and smoke detection with automatic extinguishing in stations.
Recommendation: Comprehensive fire and smoke detection equipment, providing for remote monitoring and automatic operation of extinguishing devices, shall be fitted in underground stations as appropriate.
Unknown
FENN-41 — Cease oil and spirit treatment of timber risers; replace missing fire cleats
Recommendation: The treatment of timber risers and step boards with oil and spirit must cease. Missing fire cleats must be replaced.
Unknown
FENN-36 — Urgently replace wooden escalator risers due to 'trench effect' discovery
Recommendation: Replacement of the wooden risers must be urgently sought in view of the discovery of the 'trench effect' and the conclusions of the report referred to in Appendix G as Report 4n.
Unknown
POPP-A.16 — Fire authorities must inspect stadia and restrict stands with inadequate fire precautions.
Recommendation: Fire authorities should identify and visit all sports stadia in their areas and should prohibit or restrict the use of any stands which, in their view, constitute a risk to spectators because of the inadequacy of the fire precautions.
Unknown
P2-26 — Establish mandatory fire risk assessor accreditation
Recommendation: That the government establish a system of mandatory accreditation to certify the competence of fire risk assessors by setting standards for qualification and continuing professional development and such other measures as may be considered necessary or desirable. We think it …
Gov response: The government accepts this recommendation. We will legislate to make it a mandatory requirement for fire risk assessors to have the competence to perform this critical role independently verified by a UKAS-accredited Certification Body.
Accepted
P2-10 — Require fire safety strategy from registered fire engineer at Gateway 2
Recommendation: That it be made a statutory requirement that a fire safety strategy produced by a registered fire engineer to be submitted with building control applications (at Gateway 2) for the construction or refurbishment of any higher-risk building and for it …
Gov response: The government accepts this recommendation. A fire safety strategy is already required with building control applications for the construction of and significant work to higher-risk buildings. The Building Safety Regulator will consider how to make …
Accepted
P1-39 — Require compliant flat entrance doors where unsafe cladding exists
Recommendation: All those who have responsibility in whatever capacity for the condition of the entrance doors to individual flats in high-rise residential buildings, whose external walls incorporate unsafe cladding, be required by law to ensure that such doors comply with current …
Gov response: The government accepted in principle all Phase 1 recommendations directed at central government. The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick presented the formal response to Parliament on 21 January 2020, committing to new duties on building owners …
Accepted in Part
P1-38 — Require quarterly fire door checks
Recommendation: The owner and manager of every residential building containing separate dwellings (whether or not they are high-rise buildings) be required by law to carry out checks at not less than three-monthly intervals to ensure that all fire doors are fitted …
Gov response: The government accepted in principle all Phase 1 recommendations directed at central government. The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick presented the formal response to Parliament on 21 January 2020, committing to new duties on building owners …
Accepted in Part
P1-37 — Urgent fire door inspections required
Recommendation: The owner and manager of every residential building containing separate dwellings (whether or not they are high-rise buildings) carry out an urgent inspection of all fire doors to ensure that they comply with applicable legislative standards.
Gov response: The government accepted in principle all Phase 1 recommendations directed at central government. The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick presented the formal response to Parliament on 21 January 2020, committing to new duties on building owners …
Accepted
P1-9 — Require monthly lift control mechanism tests
Recommendation: The owner and manager of every high-rise residential building be required by law to carry out regular tests of the mechanism which allows firefighters to take control of the lifts and to inform their local fire and rescue service at …
Gov response: The government accepted in principle all Phase 1 recommendations directed at central government. The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick presented the formal response to Parliament on 21 January 2020, committing to new duties on building owners …
Accepted
P1-8 — Require monthly firefighter lift inspections
Recommendation: The owner and manager of every high-rise residential building be required by law to carry out regular inspections of any lifts that are designed to be used by firefighters in an emergency and to report the results of such inspections …
Gov response: The government accepted in principle all Phase 1 recommendations directed at central government. The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick presented the formal response to Parliament on 21 January 2020, committing to new duties on building owners …
Accepted
P1-6 — Require premises information boxes
Recommendation: The owner and manager of every high-rise residential building be required by law to ensure that the building contains a premises information box, the contents of which must include a copy of the up-to-date floor plans and information about the …
Gov response: The government accepted in principle all Phase 1 recommendations directed at central government. The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick presented the formal response to Parliament on 21 January 2020, committing to new duties on building owners …
Accepted
P1-5 — Require building floor plans for fire services
Recommendation: The owner and manager of every high-rise residential building be required by law to provide their local fire and rescue services with up-to-date plans in both paper and electronic form of every floor of the building identifying the location of …
Gov response: The government accepted in principle all Phase 1 recommendations directed at central government. The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick presented the formal response to Parliament on 21 January 2020, committing to new duties on building owners …
Accepted
FENN-136 — Fire authority and RI to scrutinise new station designs for passenger safety.
Recommendation: The designs for new stations or significant alterations to stations shall be scrutinised by the fire authority and the Railway Inspectorate with special regard to passenger safety and fire precautions.
Unknown
FENN-127 — Re-examine Code of Practice regarding fire-loadings in escalator shafts and stations.
Recommendation: London Underground shall re-examine its Code of Practice as it relates to the fire-loadings in escalator shafts and other regions of stations.
Unknown
FENN-123 — Consult LFB and RI on fire safety for future station refurbishments.
Recommendation: London Undergound shall consult the London Fire Brigade and Railway Inspectorate about the means of escape and fire precaution measures in all future station refurbishment schemes.
Unknown
FENN-122 — Initiate research into paint fire qualities for London Underground Code of Practice.
Recommendation: London Underground shall initiate a programme of research into the fire qualities of paint. The surface to which it is applied and the method of application must be considered. The result of this research must be incorporated in the Code …
Unknown
FENN-86 — Review station staff fire and safety training based on consultant advice
Recommendation: Fire and safety training for station staff shall be reviewed in the light of the advice from consultants.
Unknown
FENN-85 — Provide fire safety training for cleaning and engineering staff on stations
Recommendation: Fire safety training for cleaning and engineering staff working on stations shall be provided. London Underground must obtain expert advice.
Unknown
FENN-83 — Provide biannual fire and safety training for non-supervisory and shop staff
Recommendation: Every six months fire and safety training must be provided for non-supervisory staff and booking clerks. Staff must be given site familiarisation training before they are permitted to take part in the running of the station. Specific provision shall be …
Unknown
FENN-81 — Establish continuing fire and safety instruction for station staff by supervisors
Recommendation: London Underground shall establish a programme of continuing instruction at work by supervisors for station staff in fire and safety with the assistance of the London Fire Brigade and British Transport Police. At stations equipped with water fog equipment supervisors …
Unknown
FENN-74 — Prohibit unprotected storage of combustible items at all Underground stations
Recommendation: Combustible items such as paper and card shall not be stored at stations unless properly protected from the risk of fire. This recommendation and the Code of Practice shall apply to all occupiers of premises on the Underground.
Unknown
FENN-69 — Survey system materials, evaluate risks, and remove hazardous materials programme
Recommendation: London Underground shall survey materials present on the system, evaluate the risks involved from those materials and devise a programme to remove those which constitute a hazard.
Unknown
FENN-53 — Implement regular cleaning of machine rooms and shafts with safe material storage
Recommendation: All machine rooms and shafts must be specially cleaned by the end of I988 and regularly cleaned thereafter. Essential cleaning materials shall be kept only in small quantities and in correctly marked containers in fire-proof bins.
Unknown
FENN-52 — Survey VIR cables, improve machine rooms, and waterproof electrical equipment for cleaning
Recommendation: A survey must be carried out of all remaining VIR cable installations and a renewal programme established. The electrical wiring, lighting, decoration, and general state of machine rooms and shafts must be improved. The waterproofing of electrical equipment to permit …
Unknown
FENN-49 — Check station ventilation and issue fire action instructions for contaminated air
Recommendation: Station ventilation systems must be checked to ensure that contaminated air cannot be introduced into the rooms they serve. Instructions must be issued on any action to be taken in the event of a fire.
Unknown
FENN-45 — Regularly examine fire equipment, report defects, and ensure immediate remedy
Recommendation: London Underground shall regularly examine fire equipment and ensure that defects are reported and remedied at once or alternative arrangements made.
Unknown
FENN-42 — Research escalator shaft fire dynamics using models and computer simulation
Recommendation: Further research shall be undertaken into the dynamics of fires in escalator shafts by London Underground using the available scale models and computer simulation.
Unknown
FENN-40 — Require station supervisors to inspect escalators and machine rooms every two hours
Recommendation: Station supervisors must personally inspect escalators, and both upper and lower machine rooms, every two hours until wooden parts have been removed.
Unknown
FENN-39 — Implement regular escalator cleaning, improving access and protective clothing for staff
Recommendation: Escalators shall be manually cleaned at least every six months until the rewiring of machine rooms is completed. Thereafter they shall be mechanically cleaned in accordance with the programme determined under Recommendation 38. Escalator steps must be removed as necessary, …
Unknown
FENN-35 — Replace wooden escalator skirting, balustrade, decking, and panels with metal
Recommendation: The wooden skirting boards and balustrade, decking and advertisement panels of all escalators must be replaced with metal by July 1989.
Unknown
FENN-21 — LFB to attend construction meetings, register risks, relocate affected equipment
Recommendation: The London Fire Brigade shall attend all pre-start meetings and important later meetings in relation to construction works on the Underground. Details of the works shall be included on the Fire Brigade's central risks register. Fire equipment and London Fire …
Unknown
FENN-20 — Produce and maintain up-to-date station plans in LFB-agreed locations
Recommendation: In agreement with the London Fire Brigade, London Underground shall produce and maintain up-to-date station plans, and place them in boxes it has provided, at locations agreed or specified by the London Fire Brigade.
Unknown
FENN-16 — Research air movement and provide criteria for safe train operation during fire
Recommendation: London Underground shall undertake further research into the effect of trains on air movement in the Underground. London Underground should provide criteria by which line controllers, who have received a report of fire, can judge whether it is safe to …
Unknown
FENN-15 — Modify London Underground fire equipment to London Fire Brigade standards
Recommendation: London Underground fire equipment shall be modified to London Fire Brigade standards and the amount and type of fire equipment in stations agreed.
Unknown
FENN-1 — Install heat and smoke detectors on escalator trusses and machine rooms
Recommendation: All escalator trusses shall be fitted with linear heat detectors and machine rooms with smoke detectors. Priority should be given to escalators with wooden components and consideration given to moving the water fog valves to a protected location outside the …
Unknown
POPP-C.10 — Urgently amend Building Regulations for structural fire precautions in new stands
Recommendation: The Department of the Environment should urgently amend the Building Regulations Guidance Codes in relation to structural fire precautions in new stands.
Unknown
POPP-C.9 — Mandate annual renewal, inspection, and revocation of sports ground safety certificates
Recommendation: There should be (1) annual renewal of safety certificates issued under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975; (2) a duty on the local authority annually to inspect the premises prior to re-issuing the certificate and (3) power for the …
Unknown
POPP-C.8 — Grant local authority officers power to issue sports ground prohibition notices
Recommendation: Provision should be made for authorised officers of the local authority to have power to issue a prohibition notice under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975.
Unknown
POPP-C.7 — Grant fire authority officers power to issue fire safety prohibition notices
Recommendation: Provision should be made in the Fire Precautions Act 1971 for authorised officers of a fire authority to have power to issue a prohibition notice.
Unknown
POPP-C.6 — Review and designate Scottish indoor sports facilities under 1971 Fire Act
Recommendation: An urgent review of the existing legislation on indoor sports facilities in Scotland should be undertaken and if they are not currently covered by fire regulations such facilities should be designated under the Fire Precautions Act 1971.
Unknown
POPP-C.5 — Mandate fire certificates for indoor sports facilities over 500 capacity
Recommendation: In England and Wales indoor sports facilities with accommodation for over 500 spectators should require a fire certificate under the Fire Precautions Act 1971.
Unknown
POPP-A.15 — Prohibit smoking in combustible stands, enforce with entry conditions and signs.
Recommendation: No smoking should take place in combustible stands, that this should be a condition of entry to the ground and that signs to this effect should be prominently displayed.
Unknown
POPP-A.13 — Prohibit construction of new permanent stands using combustible materials.
Recommendation: Building of new permanent stands of combustible materials should be prohibited as a general rule.
Unknown
RONA-46 — Revise Fire Regulations for high-rise structural behaviour during normal intensity fires
Recommendation: The Fire Regulations should be revised to take account of the behaviour of the structure of high rise buildings in the event of fire of normal intensity {paragraph 216}.
Unknown
RONA-34 — Designers to ensure tall blocks are fire protected until new Code
Recommendation: Until such time as a new Code of Practice has been prepared, designers of tall blocks should ensure that the structure is adequately protected from the effects of fire {paragraph 216}.
Unknown
RONA-31 — Strengthen blocks inadequately designed to resist wind loads or fire
Recommendation: Where blocks are inadequately designed to deal with wind loads, or fire, they should be adequately strengthened {paragraphs 214 and 216}.
Unknown
RONA-22 — Review regulations for storing explosive materials in high-rise residential blocks
Recommendation: The Regulations governing the storage of other potentially explosive materials in high blocks of flats should be reviewed {paragraph 173}.
Unknown
P2-24 — Create cladding materials library for designers
Recommendation: We have referred to the Cladding Materials Library set up by the University of Queensland, which could form the basis of a valuable source of information for designers of buildings in general. We recommend that the construction regulator sponsor the …
Gov response: The government accepts this recommendation. We accept the premise of better access to information, resources and test results through a digitally based library. In line with this we are considering options to best support access …
Accepted
P2-21 — Introduce licensing scheme for principal contractors
Recommendation: That a licensing scheme operated by the construction regulator be introduced for principal contractors wishing to undertake the construction or refurbishment of higher-risk buildings and that it be a legal requirement that any application for building control approval for the …
Gov response: The government accepts this recommendation. We will review the impact of the new dutyholder regime in relation to higher-risk buildings, working with the sector to determine how we can go further, including introducing a licensing …
Accepted
Prevention of Future Deaths reports(71)— showing 50 strongest matches
Alan Smith
Concerns: A co-worker lacked specific training for working at height, and generic risk assessment forms and method statements were not routinely used by employees.
Overdue
Vera Lillian Steel
Concerns: A frail, bedbound resident fatally burned herself while smoking. Care homes should be encouraged to provide fire-protective aprons or smocks to residents who smoke to prevent similar incidents.
Overdue
Walter Gordon Powley
Concerns: Uncovered, excessively hot pipes and radiator valves in a care home posed a burn risk. This was compounded by a lack of specific room risk assessments and oversight failures by regulatory bodies.
Response (CQC): The CQC acknowledges the incident and will share the report's findings within the organisation. They are exploring ways to work more closely with the HSE and ensuring their new inspection …
Response (Health Safety Executive): HSE will raise concerns about assessing risks from hot surfaces and pipe-work at the next GB Social Care Partners Forum meeting, scheduled for February 2014. They will also share the …
Response (RNHA): The RNHA acknowledges the risk and states they regularly advise members of their responsibilities under the Health & Safety at Work Act, particularly regarding covering radiator pipes. They will continue …
Responded
Magdalen Dwerryhouse
Concerns: Poor communication led to a missed patient appointment. A health trust also failed to engage with the fire service, preventing vulnerable individuals from receiving crucial home safety checks due to a lack of information sharing.
Response (5 Borough Partnership NHS Trust): The Trust has reviewed and amended operational guidance for community teams, specifically regarding actions when service users miss appointments. They have also established an information-sharing agreement and reciprocal training arrangements …
Responded
Robert Wood
Concerns: Fire risk assessment guidelines did not prioritise pre-alteration reviews, and Junior Fire NCOs lacked specific training on complex electrical overload risks, including high current draw appliances.
Response: • The Defence Fire Risk Management Organisation (DFRMO) Fire Diary has been amended to clarify that a competent fire risk assessor must be consulted before changes take place or if …
Responded
Santosh Muthiah
Concerns: The inability to identify appliance details after severe fire damage hinders accurate defect pattern recognition, and inconsistent information sharing among Fire & Rescue Services impedes product safety investigations.
Response (BSI): BSI Committees CPL/61 and PEL/33 reviewed the points raised and are submitting a proposal to the International Committee to add a warning about supply cords and portable socket-outlets to relevant …
Response (AMDEA): AMDEA's Technical Manager on Refrigeration together with industry safety specialists prepared a basic proposal for change to the international standard IEC 60335-2-24. This proposal was placed before the BSI committee …
Response (Forensic Sciences): The Society explains its role as a professional body for forensic science practitioners, noting that their reports are usually delivered directly to those who engaged them and may be sensitive …
Response (Chief Fire Officers Association): CFOA will engage proactively with DCLG to help develop the future IRS and the ease by which this type of information can be gathered, accessed and disseminated. CFOA will provide …
Response (Department for Business Innovation Skills): BIS will consider consistency of guidance and sharing of best practice as part of the independent review of consumer product recalls. The potential for a Code of Practice will also …
Responded
Richard Turner
Concerns: Employees developed complacency regarding health and safety due to routine work, exacerbated by a lack of standard procedures to remind them of lifting plans, risks, and infrequent safety briefings.
Overdue
Christopher Butler
Concerns: A hidden electrical fault in boiler systems, potentially present in other similar properties, poses an undetected risk that standard electrical testing may miss. The Fire and Rescue Service needs to alert the community.
Response (Oxfordshire County Council): The Fire and Rescue Service has undertaken a review of the circumstances, and plans to review their Near Miss and Fatal Incident Review process with Social Services and will share …
Responded
Anne Fowler
Concerns: Smoke alarm covers were left in place after installation, making them inaccessible and ineffective. Legislation should require their removal by builders or landlords prior to occupation.
Overdue
Robert Spring
Concerns: Inadequate communication channels failed to inform the Fire and Rescue Service about high-risk home oxygen users who smoked, preventing assessment for crucial safety equipment like smoke alarms and flame-retardant bedding.
Response (United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust): United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has met with Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue and Air Liquide to agree a process for sharing information, formalized the discharge process, and included a documented …
Responded
Kenneth Bailey
Concerns: Limited manning hours at a local fire station caused delayed emergency response times, which encouraged untrained neighbours to undertake dangerous rescues, increasing their risk of injury or death.
Response (Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service): Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is undertaking internal and external recruitment to establish a new duty system at Mossley Fire Station, expected to be in place by November 2015. …
Responded
Ian Morley
Concerns: A patient's deteriorating condition failed to trigger a necessary fresh risk assessment, compounded by inadequate fire risk management at the care facility.
Overdue
Christianne Shepherd
Concerns: The report calls for a publicly accessible central register for tour operators to record hotel safety information, improved collaboration between tour operators regarding health and safety, increased awareness of carbon monoxide dangers, and more qualified personnel conducting health and safety checks.
Overdue
Emma Waring
Concerns: The absence of compulsory automatic water suppression systems in residential properties, especially for vulnerable individuals, represents a significant fire safety risk.
Response (RBH): Rochdale Boroughwide Housing has delivered domestic sprinklers in properties occupied by some of their most vulnerable tenants and is working with Rochdale Council’s Strategic Housing Service on a project designed …
Responded
George Hines
Concerns: Defects in the pull-cord alarm system were unaddressed, residents were responsible for smoke detector maintenance, and smoke detectors were not linked to the emergency control room, delaying fire alerts.
Overdue
Andrew Coates
Concerns: An unsuitable wooden shed was licensed for fireworks storage, containing other combustibles and having deficient licensing that failed to specify types or designate a specific site, exacerbated by sketchy inspection records.
Response (Cumbria County Council): Cumbria County Council has provided training to Trading Standards Officers on firework storage, reviewed quality assurance procedures (incorporating minor amendments), and audited large firework stores, rectifying an issue with separation …
Responded
Christine Dryden
Concerns: The absence of regular checks on installed smoke and heat detectors in properties presents a safety risk, necessitating a review of maintenance arrangements.
Overdue
Ellen Kelly
Concerns: Residential fire safety is compromised by flat front doors lacking self-closing mechanisms and failing to meet 30-minute fire resistance standards, leading to rapid fire spread and trapping residents.
Response (London Borough of Camden): The London Borough of Camden has a programme to improve fire safety in council housing, including regular meetings with the Fire Service, fire safety works to 4,500 high priority housing …
Responded
Patrick Woods
Concerns: The hospital's unknown equipment portfolio prevented the identification of potentially dangerous devices, hindering proper risk assessments and actions to prevent patient injury or fatalities.
Response (Draeger Medical UK Limited): Draeger Medical UK has updated its training documentation, including the Basic Skills Checklist and powerpoint presentation, to address the use of the ACGO switch and relevant ventilation modes. They are …
Response (Luton Dunstable University Hospital): Luton and Dunstable University Hospital has reconfigured default alarm settings on anaesthetic machines, educated staff on unused functionality, and implemented a system to manage medical equipment logs. The Clinical Director …
Overdue
John Wilson
Concerns: The product recall process was inadequate, relying on unrecorded standard mail that failed to inform the deceased, and lacked further robust efforts like registered post or follow-up visits, despite known increasing fire risk with product age.
Overdue
Pauline Taylor
Concerns: Emollient creams with paraffin pose an unrecognised fire hazard due to inadequate warnings and lack of awareness, alongside insufficient patient risk assessments.
Response (PAGB): PAGB will provide a written submission to the MHRA by September 30th, 2017 regarding paraffin-containing products and will work with the MHRA, fire brigades, and other stakeholders to ensure clear …
Response (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency): MHRA has liaised with ArjoHuntleigh to confirm risk mitigation factors are appropriate and are working to communicate important healthcare information to healthcare professionals and the public through established alert systems. …
Response (Locala): Locala has shared learning from the case internally, raised awareness about paraffin-containing products in their monthly medicines management report, and is developing a flowchart, documentation, and training for staff to …
Response (NHS England): NHS Improvement notified of the death in 2015 and included actions taken in response to the death in the Patient safety review and response report published in June 2017.
Response (United Kingdom Home Care Association): The UK Homecare Association has provided information to homecare providers including a fact sheet prepared by the London Fire Brigade, an article in their magazine, and an email briefing regarding …
Overdue
Russell Sherwood
Concerns: The Fire Service departed a dangerous flood scene without closing the road or leaving warning signs, as their protocols and equipment do not permit road closures, relying solely on other authorities.
Response (South Wales Fire and Rescue Services): The recommendations are being considered as part of its overarching response to the Fire Rescue Services (Emergencies)(Wales)(Amendment) Order 2017, with the outcome of the review reported by the Service's Senior …
Responded
Rasikaben Chauhan
Concerns: There is a lack of clear communication and awareness-raising regarding a specific risk with relevant community and religious organisations.
Response (Northampton County Council): The fire service has made the risks and circumstances which led to the death known to other UK Fire Services. They are also working with local community groups to deliver …
Overdue
Sharon Soares
Concerns: There have been multiple fatalities and numerous accidental injuries linked to Bio Ethanol burners, indicating an ongoing and significant product safety risk.
Overdue
Brian MaClean
Concerns: Social Services and housing providers failed to proactively assess fire risks, make referrals to fire services, or install automatic water suppression systems and appropriate alarms for high-risk individuals.
Response (Manchester City Council): In response to concerns, Manchester City Council has reviewed closed contacts, is undertaking an audit of 'No Further Action' cases, will provide further training for Contact Centre staff, will have …
Overdue
Ian Leak
Concerns: The communal fire alarm system at Honiton Oaks failed to trigger audible alerts within individual flats, raising serious safety concerns for residents, particularly those with mobility problems under a "Stay Put" policy.
Response (Peak Valley Housiing Asscoiation): The housing association is installing combined heat and smoke detectors in residents' flats, linked to a main system with external monitoring, commencing in October 2017. They have also commenced a …
Overdue
Bernard Hender
Concerns: Whirlpool's risk assessments for appliance fires were inadequate, with a dismissive approach to field data like reported fires. This prevents timely learning and proactive measures to enhance product safety and save lives.
Response (Whirlpool UK Appliances Limited): • Whirlpool stated it has comprehensive policies, procedures, and guidelines for field monitoring, safety investigations, analysis, risk assessment, and reporting. • Whirlpool confirmed these systems are developed over decades and …
Responded
Sheila Gaskin
Concerns: Despite an identified risk of smoking in bed, carers regularly assisted the deceased to smoke, due to a lack of management oversight and a clear prohibition policy.
Response (CSSIW): CSSIW cannot impose a blanket ban on care workers assisting service users to smoke, but will issue general guidance to care providers on assessing and mitigating health and fire risks …
Response (CQC): CQC acknowledges the concerns, notes the service falls under CSSIW jurisdiction, and states their current inspection process covers governance systems, supervision, and accident/incident reviews, but does not support a blanket …
Responded
John Nichols
Concerns: The fire drills policy lacked safeguards to adequately monitor residents, especially those with dementia, before, during, and after drills.
Response (Kings Lynn and Eastgate Residential Care Homes): Kings Lynn and Eastgate Residential Care Homes engaged a fire consultant to observe fire drills, amended the pre-assessment form to include questions on distress caused by fire alarms, and revised …
Responded
Christopher Brookes
Concerns: Security guards failed to respond to an activated fire exit alarm at a location with a history of a near-fall incident, indicating inadequate safety protocols and response.
Response (City of Wolverhampton): City of Wolverhampton Council has worked with the health and safety executive and the fire service to review the index area, has installed additional safety lighting on the fire escape …
Overdue
Elizabeth Griffin
Concerns: No specific concerns for future deaths were detailed in the provided text.
Response (Department for Business Energy Industrial Strategy): The Department highlights the launch of a new Code of Practice on product recalls (PAS 7100) and the development of a comprehensive digital service for consumer product safety information. They …
Response (Whirlpool UK): Whirlpool outlines its product safety processes, including senior leadership oversight, and highlights the existence of a freephone number and prominent stickers on new products encouraging registration. They are also leading …
Response (CTSI): The CTSI states it is a professional body without powers to investigate and the matter is for local authority trading standards departments. They also highlight a workforce survey showing cuts …
Overdue
Matthew Hatfield
Concerns: Soldiers lacked clarity on gun safety drills, and the officer in charge lacked critical information on tank status. Risk assessments also failed to identify a design flaw allowing guns to fire without a vital safety assembly.
Response (Ministry of Defence): • Immediately following the tragic accident; ban on all 12Omm training ammunition natures was ordered by Defence General Munitions ("DGM"). • Once all live fire training on Challenger 2 ("CR2") …
Response (BAE Systems): • BAE Systems stated it had no involvement with the gun's design or manufacture, which occurred in the 1980s by government entities. • BAE Systems noted it acquired Royal Ordnance …
Responded
Mihaela Lazar
Concerns: Inadequate fire detection and warning systems, including missing smoke alarms and kitchen doors, combined with unacceptable escape routes in older maisonettes, pose a significant fire risk in thousands of properties.
Overdue
Kenneth Bardsley
Concerns: The coroner raises concerns regarding the lack of minimum qualification standards for lift engineers, the absence of an escalation process for regulatory lift examination results, a lack of clarity on engineers following up on requirements, CQC's failure to identify unaddressed faults, and a lack of systems to ensure lift examination details are read and acted upon.
Overdue
Brian Frost
Concerns: Unsafe living conditions, specifically loose flooring, were unaddressed in a frail, elderly priest's accommodation, as diocesan welfare visits failed to conduct health and safety risk assessments.
Overdue
Canon Frost
Concerns: Unsafe living conditions, specifically loose flooring, were unaddressed in a frail, elderly priest's accommodation, as diocesan welfare visits failed to conduct health and safety risk assessments.
Response: The Diocese will conduct annual property and safety assessments for retired priests, involving a surveyor, welfare officer, and the priest. Necessary repairs will be organised and paid for by the …
Overdue
Barnaby Aylward
Concerns: Agencies did not collectively address the risks to a social housing tenant with serious mental illness, including heavy smoking and accumulating clutter. His care documentation also did not identify these behaviours as risks.
Response: West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has agreed to a multi-agency programme of awareness training for staff from WYFRS, Together Housing and SWYFT to be delivered in June and July …
Overdue
Peter Moran
Concerns: Carers failed to properly turn off a cooker before removing knobs for a fire-risk patient, and the knob removal method itself was inadequate to ensure appliance safety.
Response (AR1 Homecare Ltd): The organisation provides staff training on fire awareness, uses risk assessment tools for client homes and staff induction, and has engaged a company for risk assessments and online fire training. …
Responded
John Jennings
Concerns: Critical fire safety standards (Code of Practice and British Standard 5839 LD1 Maximum Protection) are not statutory requirements, which may compromise safety.
Response (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government): The department will raise the concern that the statutory minimum provision of smoke alarms is less than the maximum offered in British Standard 5839 with the relevant committee at the …
Responded
Pauline Oakley
Concerns: There was no safety assessment of the patient's flat or appliances upon hospital discharge. Additionally, the fire alarm system was unmonitored, relying on residents who may have assumed it was.
Response (East London NHS Foundation Trust): East London NHS Foundation Trust clarifies that responsibility for environmental risk assessments following the patient's discharge from hospital would lie with the Reablement Team, which falls within the remit of …
Response (East End Homes): East End Homes states that the smoke alarms were of an appropriate standard, properly installed, maintained, and operated when activated. They believe that residents do not expect domestic alarms to …
Response (GP): The GP practice will ensure the multi-disciplinary team and Social Services are made aware of concerns raised about the adequacy or safety of a patient's home environment. Clinicians can prompt …
Responded
Jaden Francois-Espirit
Concerns: The London Fire Brigade failed to recognise deteriorating mental well-being in a firefighter, missing subtle signs and not exploring his refusal of offered support.
Response (London Fire Brigade): LFB accepted all 24 recommendations in the investigation report following the death of Jaden Francois-Esprit, and created an action plan, extended to include the coroner's concerns, with a total of …
Responded
Darrell Spear
Concerns: Agencies failed to effectively manage identified self-neglect and hoarding risks, particularly fire hazards, due to poor inter-agency communication and a lack of clear strategy.
Overdue
Netlyn Robinson
Concerns: Upon the deceased's return home, there was no falls pendant or alarm, the telephone line was not connected, there was no risk assessment, and the heating was not working; the social worker had not been shown a checklist for issues to check prior to a vulnerable person returning home and there were no processes in place to outline what social services would or would not do to ensure the premises were suitable.
Response (Leeds City Council): Leeds City Council confirms immediate action has been taken on a number of issues raised and a clear plan is in place to address those for which there is a …
Responded
Henry Boddy
Concerns: There is a gap in enforcement powers regarding fire risks in residential properties, specifically the risks of a fire load arising from hoarding behaviour.
Response (Home Office): The Home Office acknowledges concerns about fire risks from hoarding but suggests a multi-agency approach is more appropriate than enforcement under the Fire Safety Order. They highlight the role of …
Overdue
James Golds
Concerns: Inadequate guidance exists for managing fire risk in supported accommodation for vulnerable residents, exacerbated by no statutory sprinkler requirement and ineffective smoke detector placement.
Response (Department for Levelling Up Housing Communities): The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities references existing building regulations, guidance, and the role of fire and rescue authorities, but does not commit to further action.
Responded
Barry Martin
Concerns: Following forced police entry, an occupied house was left with its main exit boarded up and the secondary exit unusable, creating a significant fire safety risk by denying residents alternative escape routes.
Response (Jigsaw Homes Tameside): Jigsaw Homes Tameside states that its technician checked for alternative exits before boarding the door and the tenant had keys to the rear door.
Responded
Christian Hinkley
Concerns: Prison fire detection systems are inadequate and unable to reliably detect cell fires early enough to save lives. Despite repeated warnings and notices issued since 2015, in-cell automatic fire detectors remain uninstalled.
Response (HM Prison and Probation Service): HMPPS is investing £315m to improve fire safety, including in-cell fire detectors, portable fire detection devices, water mist firefighting equipment, and smoke ventilation fans. Cell fire response training was revised …
Responded
Sean Ennis
Concerns: Inadequate fire risk assessments and an unregulated telecare sector fail to ensure vulnerable residents receive essential safety provisions and monitoring, exacerbated by a lack of person-centred risk assessments and accreditation.
Response (Barnet Homes): Barnet Homes will cooperate with fire risk assessments, engage with telecare reviews, and explore telecare funding. They will pursue a recommendation with the London Borough of Barnet for sheltered housing …
Response (Network Homes): Network Homes asserts that its fire safety management and systems exceed legal requirements and reflect best practice. They state the fire safety systems at Knightleas Court behaved as expected and …
Response (CQC): CQC acknowledges the concerns but states Knightleas Court is not a registered service. They are working with the National Fire Chief’s Council on promoting Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments.
Responded
Ashleigh Timms
Concerns: Fire safety failures included incompetent staff, non-compliant fire alarms without automatic emergency service links, unfit policies, flawed audits, and dangerous keypad locks on exit doors.
Response (London Fire Brigade): The LFB plans to conduct a regulatory audit of the premises, issue a clarification of LFB policy on vetting of fire safety audits, conduct a full review of training material …
Response (National Fire Chiefs Council): The NFCC will report the coroner's concerns to BSI committees (FSH12 and FSH14) to encourage debate and petition for positive outcomes, and will continue to work with the Home Office …
Response (Kennedys): Sequence Care has revised its competency checklist, re-assessed staff against it, arranged additional training sessions and updated fire alarms in homes to link to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC); ARC …
Response (British Standards Institution): BSI's committee FSH/12 will pass on concerns to technical committee FSH/14 and sub-committee FSH/12/1, who will consider the issues and update progress in due course; the sub-committee FSH/12/4 may consider …
Responded
Keith Holmes
Concerns: Unmaintained electrical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic increased fire risks, exacerbated by a failure to reassess these dangers and a lack of contingency planning for future lockdown scenarios.
Response (P3 Charity): The organisation states that it had received public health advice about how to manage the pandemic and balanced obligations to licensees and employees, and maintenance staff were not put on …
Responded
Select committee recommendations(114)— showing 50 strongest matches
#16 —
Recommendation: Additional costs may also arrive through wider fire safety issues discovered during remediation works and need correction. The National Audit Office found that cladding inspection has revealed other significant flaws in construction and fire safety in many 42 Ministry of …
Gov response: 3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2021 3.2 The government is taking urgent action to speed up the remediation of wider fire safety issues in residential buildings. It is …
Not Addressed
#15 —
Recommendation: Private leaseholders’ emotional strain has been compounded by rising costs passed on to them by their building owners. These costs are often as a result of interim fire safety measures. The Department estimated a common interim measure, waking watches (overnight …
Gov response: 4.3 However, understandably, many leaseholders are anxious about costs from interim measures, such as waking watch (overnight patrols to evacuate residents in case of fire). The department has been investigating steps to reduce waking watch …
Not Addressed
#13 —
Recommendation: The number of residents living in buildings with unsafe cladding is not clear. The Department estimates there are over 20,000 homes in around 240 high-rise buildings yet to be remediated with unsafe cladding similar to that used on the Grenfell …
Gov response: 3.3 The department will write to the Committee in the spring of 2021 with an update on the data collection of external wall systems of 11-18 metres high residential buildings.
Not Addressed
#10 —
Recommendation: The Department said it was unacceptable that buildings of any height had unsafe cladding, not just high-rise buildings (i.e. those above 18 metres in height). Nevertheless, it said it was not funding the replacement of cladding in buildings below 18 …
Gov response: 3.5 The department will write to the Committee in the spring of 2021 with an update on the data collection of external wall systems of 11-18 metres high residential buildings.
Not Addressed
#7 —
Recommendation: Aluminium composite material cladding is not the only form of flammable cladding that has prompted serious safety concerns.19 In January 2020 the Department published 9 Q 19 10 Q 59 11 C&AG’s Report, paragraph 11 12 Hansard HC, 19 July …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2020 3.1 The department recognises that ACM is not the only form of cladding that has prompted serious safety concerns. In January 2020, the …
Not Addressed
#2 —
Recommendation: The Department is not fully funding the replacement of forms of dangerous cladding which are different from that used on Grenfell Tower, nor is it prioritising spending according to greatest risks or need. While the Department has established a new …
Gov response: 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Ta rget implementation date: To be determined 2.2 The department has committed to bring forward proposals for ensuring that unsafe cladding is removed from high rise buildings …
Not Addressed
#21 — Wider aspects like fire safety and charge point placement require further attention for EV transition
Recommendation: In addition to removing barriers to charge point rollout, enabling the transition to electric vehicles requires addressing wider aspects such as ensuring that charge point demand is considered when new major road schemes are created, and fire safety techniques are …
Gov response: 6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendations. Recommendation implemented 6.2 The government’s vision is that all drivers can charge conveniently for both daily and long-distance driving and that there is a compelling, and visible, …
Partially Accepted
#34 — Inconsistent PAS 9980 fire risk appraisals lead to significant delays and disputes.
Recommendation: Under the PAS 9980 methodology, competent professionals conduct Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEWs) in which they make conclusions about the risk to life posed by a building’s cladding and make proposals about remedial measures to reduce the level …
Gov response: 4.3 The government’s view is that remediation reduces risk and that this should be reflected in pricing. PAS 9980 has been developed by the British Standards Institute who drew on expert advice from professionals across …
Not Addressed
#32 — Insurance premiums will remain high without full property protection alongside life safety.
Recommendation: In written evidence, the ABI called on government to adopt an approach that priorities property protection and building resilience alongside risk to life. It said that without a standard requiring the removal of combustible material in external walls (insulation and …
Gov response: 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2025 4.2 The government agrees with the Committee that it is important to build evidence on the cost of buildings insurance. MHCLG therefore …
Accepted
#18 — Limited qualified professionals compromise quality and consistency of PAS 9980 fire risk assessments.
Recommendation: The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) told us that the PAS 9980 standard for assessing the fire safety risk of external walls relied on specialist knowledge of building construction, fire engineering principles and material performance. The NFCC warned that there …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: July 2025 The government agrees to update the Committee on the work it is doing to increase capacity and skills across the building sector to …
Accepted
#13 — Government funding programmes exclude non-cladding fire safety defects, burdening property owners and leaseholders.
Recommendation: In their written evidence to us, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and The Property Institute also raised concerns about the exclusion of non– cladding defects from government funded programmes. The NFCC told us there was a “large proportion” of …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025 The government is working to publish an update of the Remediation Acceleration Plan in Summer 2025; however, this is dependent on the outcome …
Accepted
#63 —
Recommendation: We recommend that the Government include supplementary provisions in the Bill for mandating regular electrical safety checks in higher-risk buildings. (Paragraph 188) Construction Products and Supplementary Provisions
Gov response: We welcome the Committee’s recommendation and agree that the safety of all residents is paramount. In June 2020, Government bought forward legislation to require private landlords to require electrical installations to be inspected by a …
Under Consideration
#21 —
Recommendation: The evidence we received clearly indicates that it should be the regulator—and not building owners—who decides whether a building needs a fire risk assessment. As such, we recommend that the Building Safety Regulator decides whether a building needs a fire …
Gov response: Responsibility for conducting fire risk assessments sits with the Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order. These assessments can be audited by fire and rescue services who can take enforcement action should it be required. …
Not Accepted
#31 — Insurance premiums may remain high despite remediation due to PAS 9980 life safety focus.
Recommendation: MHCLG told us that, as well as options for intervening in the market to reduce premiums while buildings are awaiting remediation, it expected the insurance industry to hold to its word in reducing premiums as risk is reduced. It said …
Gov response: 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2025 4.2 The government agrees with the Committee that it is important to build evidence on the cost of buildings insurance. MHCLG therefore …
Not Addressed
#3 —
Recommendation: The suggestion by some freeholders and their representatives that ground rent is a contribution towards building safety remediation is incorrect. Leaseholders do not believe and should not expect that ground rent is used as a proxy for an additional service …
Response Pending
#23 —
Recommendation: The National Audit Office found that there has been a shortage of skills or personnel needed to complete remediation work.72 However, shortages are not restricted to the removal and replacement of cladding. The Local Government Association wrote to us outlining …
Gov response: 6.4 The department is fully aware of the challenges with the capacity of professional fire expertise and the associated public indemnity insurance constraints. As set out in the department’s response to recommendation 4 above, with …
Not Addressed
#22 —
Recommendation: While leaseholders have been unable to move or remortgage, some have seen their insurances premiums rise significantly. For those in buildings with serious fire safety defects, there are examples of premiums rising by over 400%.69 This is on top of …
Gov response: 5.5 The department is also aware of challenges in accessing affordable buildings insurance for some blocks with building safety concerns. Officials are working with industry to understand this better.
Not Addressed
#21 —
Recommendation: We made it clear to the Department that professional indemnity insurance has been regularly brought to our attention by the industry and needs sorting as a priority.67 The Department told us that it is working with the Fire Industry Association …
Gov response: 5.4 The department is aware of challenges with the capacity of professional fire expertise and associated public indemnity insurance constraints. With industry, the department has several joint workstreams actively seeking to address this. 5.5 The …
Not Addressed
#20 —
Recommendation: In response to our concern that leaseholders are receiving nil valuations, the Department told us that this is an “industry issue” but it is engaging with lenders and involving the Treasury on this.63 UK Finance wrote to us to say …
Gov response: 5.3 The department is aware that some lenders and valuers are using the RICS EWS1 valuation process for multi-storey, multi-occupancy residential blocks of any height. The department does not support this blanket approach, especially for …
Not Addressed
#12 —
Recommendation: The Department understands there are around 40,000 care homes, sheltered homes, and hospitals (i.e. buildings with residents who might need significant assistance to evacuate) below 18 metres in England, of which 98% are below 11 metres (less than four storeys).40 …
Gov response: 3.5 The department will write to the Committee in the spring of 2021 with an update on the data collection of external wall systems of 11-18 metres high residential buildings.
Not Addressed
#11 —
Recommendation: One category of buildings below 18 metres that might present increased risks are care homes. In January 2020 the Department published advice from its independent expert advisory panel that buildings of any height with residents who need significant assistance to …
Gov response: 3.4 The department recognises that work by the CQC could be explored around care home fire safety risks.
Not Addressed
#6 —
Recommendation: In a review commissioned jointly by the Department and the Home Office in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, Dame Judith Hackitt found that the building regulatory system was “not fit for purpose” to protect high-rise buildings.16 While the …
Gov response: 19. Nineteenth Report of Session 2019-21 The Sponsor Body (for the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster) Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster Introduction from the Committee After over 20 years …
Under Consideration
#1 —
Recommendation: On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (the Department) about the remediation of dangerous of cladding on high-rise buildings.1
Gov response: 1. NHS resilience and recovery – Lee McDonough, DHSC; Ruth May, Chief Nursing Office for England 2. Social care resilience including workforce and minimising transmission – Michelle Dyson, DHSC 3. Supply and distribution of key …
Under Consideration
#5 —
Recommendation: There is a shortage of specialist skills to support the remediation of buildings with unsafe cladding. There is a shortage of fire safety expertise, both in the enforcement and inspection of buildings with unsafe cladding; this has been a particular …
Gov response: 6: PAC conclusion: There is a shortage of specialist skills to support the remediation of buildings with unsafe cladding. 6: PAC recommendation: The Department should, within the next three months assess the capacity of specialist …
Not Addressed
#4 —
Recommendation: The Department has not done enough to address spiralling insurance costs and ‘nil’ mortgage valuations. Private leaseholders in blocks with dangerous cladding have received ‘nil’ valuations for their properties, meaning they have found it impossible to sell or remortgage, while …
Gov response: 5: PAC conclusion: The Department has not done enough to address spiraling insurance costs and ‘nil’ mortgage valuations. 5: PAC recommendation: The Department should ensure that cross-sector work to resolve issues with the External Wall …
Not Addressed
#3 —
Recommendation: The Department has no knowledge of how many care homes below 18 metres in height have dangerous cladding. The Department has published advice that the risks of unsafe cladding are increased for buildings, such as care homes, where there are …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2020 3.4 The department will work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and sector representatives to improve its understanding of …
Not Addressed
#71 —
Recommendation: We recommend that the Government set out, either in the Bill or in secondary legislation to be published alongside it, how the regime will certify individual products, as opposed to product families, and take account of products with more than …
Gov response: The Government is grateful to the Committee for recognising the importance of how construction products are effectively regulated. The Government considers, however, that the regulatory system for products does recognize that any single construction product …
Under Consideration
#70 —
Recommendation: The construction products regulatory regime envisaged in the Bill and accompanying documents fails to recognise that a single product may have more than one application and that it might be considered safety critical in one application but not in another. …
Gov response: The Government is grateful to the Committee for recognising the importance of how construction products are effectively regulated. The Government considers, however, that the regulatory system for products does recognize that any single construction product …
Under Consideration
#69 —
Recommendation: We recommend that the Government make provision, either in the Bill or in secondary legislation, for a testing regime that treats products as parts of systems, perhaps by mandating the provision of a certificate confirming how the product performs when …
Gov response: The Government agrees that testing of multiple products and products as part of a system should be required. However, we do not believe that it would be appropriate or practical for the Government to place …
Under Consideration
#68 —
Recommendation: We are persuaded that schedule 8 fails to treat products as parts of systems, though we recognise that discussions on this point are ongoing. The future testing regime must assess a product’s performance in combination with other products as well …
Gov response: The Government agrees that testing of multiple products and products as part of a system should be required. However, we do not believe that it would be appropriate or practical for the Government to place …
Under Consideration
#66 —
Recommendation: We recommend that the Government provide for the publication of test failures and re-run tests and for the establishment of an independent and unified system of third- party certification in order to introduce greater transparency and rigour into the regulation …
Gov response: The Government agrees with the Committee that third-party certification alone is unlikely to provide the improvements in transparency and accountability that we also think are needed. The Government has announced an independent review into testing. …
Under Consideration
#64 —
Recommendation: We strongly agree that there is insufficient clarity around the future product testing regime, although we acknowledge that discussions on the detail are ongoing. We recommend that the Government publish with the Bill its proposals for improving the product testing …
Gov response: The Government shares the Committee’s concerns about improving the testing regime for construction products. The Government has announced an independent review into testing. The review will identify gaps and risks in the testing and certification …
Under Consideration
#62 —
Recommendation: We agree that electrical safety should be an integral part of the building safety system and that the Bill is an opportunity to require regular electrical safety checks in higher-risk buildings. We are clear, however, that no further specific duties …
Gov response: We welcome the Committee’s recommendation and agree that the safety of all residents is paramount. In June 2020, Government bought forward legislation to require private landlords to require electrical installations to be inspected by a …
Under Consideration
#50 —
Recommendation: We agree that the role of building safety manager and the supply of adequately skilled individuals to fill the role will be critical to the success of the new building safety regime for higher-risk buildings. We also agree that without …
Gov response: We agree with the Committee that it is important the Government’s intentions for how key elements of the new regulatory regime will operate are made clear during passage of the Building Safety Bill. It is …
Under Consideration
#49 —
Recommendation: We agree that the safety case report is one of the most onerous responsibilities on the accountable person and that in order to prepare for implementation the industry will need to know what the safety case report will look like …
Gov response: 98. The Government agrees that the safety case report is one of the most onerous responsibilities on the accountable person and that in order to prepare for implementation the industry will need to know what …
Under Consideration
#37 —
Recommendation: We understand the concern from the private building control profession about the conflict of interest arising from the regulator’s dual role as building control body for higher-risk buildings and regulator of the building control profession. While we recognise that starting …
Gov response: The Government acknowledges that there may be a perception of conflict arising from the Building Safety Regulator’s dual role as regulator of the building control profession and building control body for higher-risk buildings. However, we …
Under Consideration
#35 —
Recommendation: We are concerned that the Bill only removes dutyholder choice in respect of higher- risk buildings. As a result, the majority of building control work will remain exposed to the weaknesses and conflicts of interest identified by Dame Judith Hackitt. …
Gov response: The Government does not agree with the Committee’s recommendation to remove dutyholder choice entirely from the building control system and replace it with a system of independent appointment.
Under Consideration
#33 —
Recommendation: We are concerned that the Government’s proposed extension of permitted development rights would allow many building projects to bypass Gateway one and thereby weaken the whole regulatory framework for the design and construction of higher-risk buildings. We urge the Government, …
Gov response: 74. The Government acknowledges the Committee’s concerns that the proposed extension of permitted development rights would allow many building projects to bypass Gateway one and thereby weaken the whole regulatory framework for the design and …
Under Consideration
#31 —
Recommendation: We strongly recommend that the Government include provisions in the Bill itself for establishing a national system of third-party accreditation and registration for all professionals working on the design and construction of higher-risk buildings.
Gov response: 65. The Government intends to include provisions in the Bill itself for establishing a national system of third-party accreditation and registration for all professionals working on the design and construction of higher-risk buildings.
Under Consideration
#20 —
Recommendation: Given that the introduction of the PAS 9980 will not result in the elimination of EWS1 forms, we remain concerned that uncertainty will remain about the safety of buildings and will continue to stymie those trying to sell their homes. …
Gov response: The Government remains committed to setting up a state-backed professional indemnity insurance scheme for assessors undertaking EWS1 forms. We recognise that the demand for qualified professionals to undertake fire risk appraisals to PAS 9980 standards …
Partially Accepted
#2 —
Recommendation: In the absence of PAS-79 guidance which was withdrawn in August 2021, it is imperative that the British Standards Institute publish its new standard as soon as possible. We urge the Government to report on its consultation on Personal Emergency …
Gov response: The development of any new PAS guidance is a matter for the British Standards Institution to consider and as such the Government is unable to comment on this. As Lord Greenhalgh stated at the Third …
Under Consideration
#8 —
Recommendation: Since the start of 2016, there have been 25 fire incidents within the Palace and 13 incidents of falling masonry.22 Nearly two hundred years ago, in 1834, the historic Palace was destroyed by a fire following delay restoring the building.23
Gov response: The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments agree with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: risk management processes are already in place. Subject to endorsement by both Houses of Parliament, the …
Partially Accepted
#6 — Palace of Westminster faces catastrophic damage risks, especially from fire incidents
Recommendation: The Clerks have legal responsibility for the safety of those working and using the Palace and the wider estate.9 The Clerk of the House of Commons told us he was very clear that eventually there will be ‘catastrophic and irreversible …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. WT&E) to develop a substance misuse workforce strategic plan, with a target publication date of Autumn 2023. The department and NHS WT&E are also developing phase 1 of …
Accepted
#7 — Provide social housing providers with equal access to building safety remediation funds.
Recommendation: The Government’s focus on holding social housing providers responsible for remediating building safety work is producing an unhelpful disparity between the private and social housing sectors. There is no justification for private sector landlords to be treated more favourably. We …
Gov response: 10 RSH Board and committee minutes - GOV.UK 21. We explicitly seek information on large private registered providers’ financial position quarterly, including their covenant compliance and liquidity position. We undertake detailed annual reviews of provider …
Under Consideration
#6 — Necessary fire safety work imposes significant additional costs on social housing providers.
Recommendation: Necessary fire safety work has resulted in significant additional costs for social housing providers, as the Government has acknowledged in its written evidence.
Gov response: 20. We welcome the committee’s recognition of the importance of providers having individuals with sufficient expertise in the financial models the provider is using. Our Governance and Financial Viability Standard sets out our expectations that …
Under Consideration
#74 —
Recommendation: We cannot judge the adequacy of European harmonised standards, but we agree with the industry that the Government should indicate soon whether it has any plans to review hENs and commission new standards. The Government should indicate whether or how …
Gov response: The Government shares the Committee’s views on the need for certainty on whether the UK will continue to recognise European harmonised standards. The Government acknowledges that the British Standards Institution (BSI) is the UK’s national …
Under Consideration
#73 —
Recommendation: We recommend that the Government make clear that the schedule as worded will cover such products or amend it so that it does.
Gov response: The Government welcomes the Committee’s attention to this issue and accepts its recommendation. The Government wants to make sure that products with European technical assessments are covered by the regime and will ensure the drafting …
Under Consideration
#72 —
Recommendation: It seems obvious that the provisions in Schedule 8 for the designation of European standards are intended to cover products with European technical assessments. It is less obvious why schedule 8 refers only to “other overseas standards”. We understand why …
Gov response: The Government welcomes the Committee’s attention to this issue and accepts its recommendation.
Under Consideration
#67 —
Recommendation: We recommend that the Government establish the capacity of the testing market in the UK and, if necessary, provide the necessary funding to increase that capacity so as not to hinder the implementation of the new product testing regime.
Gov response: The Government welcomes the Committee’s attention to the capacity of the testing market in the UK. The Government proposes to make regulations under Schedule 8 to the Building Safety Bill that will mean more (safety …
Under Consideration
#65 —
Recommendation: We are not persuaded that third-party certification alone would provide the transparency and accountability that we and the Hackitt report have previously recommended and still believe that details of test failures and re-run tests should also be made publicly available.
Gov response: The Government agrees with the Committee that third-party certification alone is unlikely to provide the improvements in transparency and accountability that we also think are needed. The Government has announced an independent review into testing. …
Under Consideration
CQC inspection actions(37)
Southwinds
The provider did not ensure that the premises was safe as fire safety procedures were not followed.
Must Do
Park Cottages
People were not protected because the registered provider had not reasonable steps taken to mitigate the risks to people who used the service. There were not appropriate fire safety checks of the building.
Must Do
Barton Park Nursing Home
One of the fire door closures did not work correctly and there were further doors which were propped open around the home.
Must Do
Westwood Care Home
The provider had failed to ensure the fire and building standards were properly risk assessed and maintained.
Must Do
Darenth Grange Residential Home
The provider should ensure robust action is taken when staff do not act correctly during fire safety drills to fully protect people against the risk of fire.
Should Do
Clarendon Gardens
ensure a fire risk assessment was in place
Must Do
Barton Park Nursing Home
Fire doors were not being used appropriately which put people at risk of harm.
Must Do
Verve Health
The service must ensure that regular fire drills are completed to ensure service users and staff are able to safely vacate the building in the event of an emergency.
Must Do
Serenity House
The provider had not ensured people were consistently provided with safe care and treatment. The risk of fire had not been sufficiently mitigated.
Must Do
Ashdale Care Home
The fire alarm system had a fault, this had not been investigated or resolved.
Must Do
The Everley Residential Care Home
We recommend that the registered provider ensures that there is no obstruction to prevent fire doors from operating correctly and that they are maintained to operate effectively.
Must Do
St Albans House
The provider should ensure there are specific details on how to evacuate people during the day and night.
Should Do
Psychiatry-UK LLP
The service should ensure staff working in head office have fire safety training and the building has suitable emergency signage.
Should Do
Pennine View
The provider should review fire safety procedures.
Should Do
Hey Baby 4D Halifax
The service should ensure fire alarm checks resume and are recorded in accordance with policy.
Should Do
Barron Winnicott Home
Systems were not in place or effective to ensure premises were safe in the event of a fire or to prevent unauthorised access.
Must Do
Park Grange Care Home
Procedures to protect people in the event of a fire were not robust and risks to people were not always effectively managed. We concluded the management of medicines was not always carried in a safe way.
Must Do
Etherley Lodge
The provider must ensure that premises and equipment are properly maintained and safe, including implementing fire safety control measures, having personal evacuation plans, robust maintenance mechanisms, and ensuring electrical items are tested and damp issues are addressed.
Must Do
Verve Health
This service must ensure that service users have Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan’s (PEEPs) in order to safely support them to evacuate the building in an emergency.
Must Do
The Newcastle Clinic
The service should have a fire evacuation record test book.
Should Do
London Hair Transplant Clinic
The service must ensure that all equipment including the fire extinguisher are serviced in line with manufacturer guidelines(Regulation12(2)(e)).
Must Do
Bracken House
Systems in place failed to identify where the provider had not taken sufficient action to ensure visitors to the home were not at risk when using the lift when the light had broken. For example, there was no signage up …
Should Do
Winterton House
Care was not always provided in a safe way. The registered person did not ensure risks to the health and safety of service users were assessed. They did not do all that was reasonably practicable to mitigate any such risks. …
Must Do
Colney Lodge Limited
The provider must ensure clear risk assessments are in place to minimise risks and safeguard people from harm, including for activities like walking to shops and fire evacuation. Emergency evacuation plans must be in place. Safeguarding and whistleblowing policies must …
Must Do
Archers Point Residential Home
The provider must ensure the premises and equipment are properly maintained and safe, including providing staff training on fire evacuation equipment, installing window restrictors, repairing defective stair gate locks, securing the laundry room and back door, ensuring premises cleanliness, removing …
Must Do
Archers Point Residential Home
The provider must ensure risks to people's health and safety are effectively assessed and managed, including developing risk assessments and guidance for epilepsy, equipment use (e.g., mobility aids, chairs), call bells, and behaviours, conducting maintenance checks on wheelchairs, creating person-centred …
Must Do
Manor House Care Home
People were not fully protected against the risks associated with unsafe or unsuitable premises because servicing and checks of certain areas of the home had not been carried out as planned.
Must Do
Westhaven
The provider must ensure improvements are made in relation to the safe management of people's medicines, assessment of staff's competency to administer medication, updated information in people's risk assessments, and address concerns in relation to fire safety.
Must Do
Orchid House
The provider had failed to ensure effective systems were in place to identify, monitor and mitigate risks to people's safety in relation to food safety and infection prevention and control.
Must Do
Faro Lodge
Regulation 12 HSCA RA Regulations 2014 Safe care and treatment There were risks to people's safety associated with the services environment and equipment used. Risks to people, and the planned actions to help mitigate them were not adequately planned, adhered …
Must Do
Darenth Grange Residential Home
The provider should ensure regular environmental audits are robust and all identified defects in the accommodation are scheduled for repair, including loose radiator guards, missing wash hand basin plugs, and holes in walls.
Should Do
Bracken House
Quality checks failed to identify where sufficient action had not been taken to address environmental risks in the home. For example, where there was a delay by the building provider in replacing 3 soiled bedroom carpets, the provider failed to …
Should Do
Birmingham
The service should ensure staff manage the risks of domestic electrical equipment. Regulation 15.
Should Do
We Can Recover CIC
The service did not ensure that fire safety procedures were carried out in line with the provider’s policy and fire risk assessment documents.
Must Do
Aarondale House
The provider had failed to ensure risks to people were mitigated. Medicines were not managed safely. The risk of spread of infection was not mitigated. Appropriate health and safety checks were not carried out to ensure a safe environment.
Must Do
Adey Gardens Care Home
People who use services and others were not protected against the risks associated with control of infection because the provider did not ensure that the premises were a clean and hygienic environment for the people who lived there.
Must Do
Cherished Moments
The service must ensure that quality assurance is carried out on the ultrasound equipment.
Must Do
HMICFRS recommendations(70)— showing 50 strongest matches
FRS 2018-19 CoC Recommendations: West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: West Sussex FRS doesn't have a clear strategy for using its risk-based inspection programme to identify the highest risk premises. The database it uses to manage premises information is unreliable and not always accurate. The service can't …
Recommendation
FRS 2018-19 CoC Recommendations: West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: West Sussex FRS doesn't have a clear strategy for using its risk-based inspection programme to identify the highest risk premises. The database it uses to manage premises information is unreliable and not always accurate. The service can't …
Recommendation
FRS 2018-19 CoC Recommendations: West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Prevention activity doesn't always align with risks identified in the IRMP. Home fire safety checks aren't being done in a timely manner and there is a large backlog of high-risk cases. Recommendation: The service should ensure it …
Recommendation
FRS 2018-19 CoC Recommendations: West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: West Sussex FRS doesn't have a clear strategy for using its risk-based inspection programme to identify the highest risk premises. The database it uses to manage premises information is unreliable and not always accurate. The service can't …
Recommendation
FRS 2018-19 CoC Recommendations: West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Prevention activity doesn't always align with risks identified in the IRMP. Home fire safety checks aren't being done in a timely manner and there is a large backlog of high-risk cases. Recommendation: The service should ensure it …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service hasn’t done enough since the last inspection to determine its highest-risk premises to inform its risk-based inspection programme. Recommendation: Within 28 days, the service should review its action plan, detailing how it will review its …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service hasn’t done enough since the last inspection to determine its highest-risk premises to inform its risk-based inspection programme. Recommendation: Within 28 days, the service should review its action plan, detailing how it will put in …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service hasn’t done enough since the last inspection to determine its highest-risk premises to inform its risk-based inspection programme. Recommendation: Within 28 days, the service should review its action plan, detailing how it will develop a …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service hasn’t done enough since the last inspection to determine its highest risk premises to inform its risk-based inspection programme. Recommendation: By 31 August 2021, the service should review its systems and processes for dealing with …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service hasn’t done enough since the last inspection to determine its highest risk premises to inform its risk-based inspection programme. Recommendation: By 31 August 2021, the service should review its risk-based inspection programme to make sure …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service hasn’t done enough since the last inspection to develop prevention activity that prioritises those most at risk of fire. Recommendation: By 31 August 2021, the service should put in place an effective system for joint …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service hasn’t done enough since the last inspection to determine its highest risk premises to inform its risk-based inspection programme. Recommendation: By 31 August 2021, the service should put in place a clear plan with timescales …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service hasn’t done enough since the last inspection to determine its highest risk premises to inform its risk-based inspection programme. Recommendation: By 31 August 2021, the service should develop a protection strategy with a resourced and …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service hasn’t done enough since the last inspection to develop prevention activity that prioritises those most at risk of fire. Recommendation: By 31 August 2021, the service should develop a clear prevention strategy that prioritises the …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Surrey Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service can't assure itself that its risk-based inspection programme prioritises the highest risks and includes proportionate activity to reduce risk. Recommendation: Within 28 days, the service should provide an action plan that shows how it will:- …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Surrey Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service can't assure itself that its risk-based inspection programme prioritises the highest risks and includes proportionate activity to reduce risk. Recommendation: Within 28 days, the service should provide an action plan that shows how it will …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service hasn’t made prevention activity a high enough priority and it isn’t adequately identifying those most at risk from fire. Recommendation: By 28 February 2022, the service should put in place plans that are designed to …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service hasn’t made prevention activity a high enough priority and it isn’t adequately identifying those most at risk from fire. Recommendation: By 28 February 2022, the service should put in place plans that are designed to …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service hasn’t made prevention activity a high enough priority and it isn’t adequately identifying those most at risk from fire. Recommendation: By 28 February 2022, the service should put in place plans that are designed to …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: London Fire Brigade
Cause of concern: The brigade doesn’t adequately prioritise HFSVs on the basis of risk. It doesn’t have a system in place that allows for the consistent assessment of risk levels among those people it has already identified as being at …
Recommendation
FRS unknown CoC Recommendations: Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Prevention activity isn’t a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a robust and consistent method of identifying risk and vulnerability. It should detail how it will prioritise home fire safety checks to those …
Recommendation
FRS unknown CoC Recommendations: Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Prevention activity isn’t a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a robust and consistent method of identifying risk and vulnerability. It should detail how it will prioritise home fire safety checks to those …
Recommendation
FRS unknown CoC Recommendations: Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Prevention activity isn’t a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a robust and consistent method of identifying risk and vulnerability. It should detail how it will prioritise home fire safety checks to those …
Recommendation
FRS unknown CoC Recommendations: Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Prevention activity isn’t a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a robust and consistent method of identifying risk and vulnerability. It should detail how it will prioritise home fire safety checks to those …
Recommendation
FRS unknown CoC Recommendations: Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Prevention activity isn’t a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a robust and consistent method of identifying risk and vulnerability. It should detail how it will prioritise home fire safety checks to those …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Prevention activity is not a sufficiently high priority for the service and it is not adequately identifying those most at risk from fire. Recommendation: By 31 August 2021, the service should have plans in place for the …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Prevention activity is not a sufficiently high priority for the service and it is not adequately identifying those most at risk from fire. Recommendation: By 31 August 2021, the service should have plans in place for the …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Prevention activity is not a sufficiently high priority for the service and it is not adequately identifying those most at risk from fire. Recommendation: By 31 August 2021, the service should have plans in place for an …
Recommendation
FRS 2018-19 CoC Recommendations: Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service does not have a clear protection strategy that describes how it will manage its statutory responsibilities using its risk-based inspection programme (RBIP) to identify the highest-risk premises. The service has difficulty in …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service doesn’t have enough trained and experienced protection staff to implement its risk-based inspection programme and take proportionate action to reduce risk and enforce fire safety regulations. Recommendation: Within 28 days, the service should provide an …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service doesn’t have enough trained and experienced protection staff to implement its risk-based inspection programme and take proportionate action to reduce risk and enforce fire safety regulations. Recommendation: Within 28 days, the service should provide an …
Recommendation
FRS 2018-19 CoC Recommendations: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service has insufficient resources to meet its risk-based inspection programme. It is currently not meeting its targets. As a result, partially-skilled operational staff are carrying out high-risk visits, although the service acknowledges these are not audits. …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service has insufficient resources to meet its risk-based inspection programme. It is currently not meeting its targets. As a result, partially skilled operational staff are carrying out high-risk visits, although the service acknowledges that these are …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The executive board recognises it needs to do more in prevention. But not enough progress has been made since our last inspection to make prevention a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The executive board recognises it needs to do more in prevention. But not enough progress has been made since our last inspection to make prevention a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The executive board recognises it needs to do more in prevention. But not enough progress has been made since our last inspection to make prevention a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The executive board recognises it needs to do more in prevention. But not enough progress has been made since our last inspection to make prevention a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The executive board recognises it needs to do more in prevention. But not enough progress has been made since our last inspection to make prevention a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The executive board recognises it needs to do more in prevention. But not enough progress has been made since our last inspection to make prevention a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service still does not have effective systems in place to manage risk-critical information to make sure it is collected, shared and reviewed in a consistent and timely manner. Recommendation: By 31 August 2021, the service should …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service still does not have effective systems in place to manage risk-critical information to make sure it is collected, shared and reviewed in a consistent and timely manner. Recommendation: By 31 August 2021, review the plans …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service still does not have effective systems in place to manage risk-critical information to make sure it is collected, shared and reviewed in a consistent and timely manner. Recommendation: By 31 August 2021, make sure that …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Some improvements in prevention have been made since our last inspection. The service has revised its prevention strategy, and this is giving its prevention and response teams better direction. But the service is still not adequately identifying …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Some improvements in prevention have been made since our last inspection. The service has revised its prevention strategy, and this is giving its prevention and response teams better direction. But the service is still not adequately identifying …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service hasn’t done enough since our last inspection to address its areas for improvement and provide clear direction to make sure that its teams can prioritise work according to risk. Recommendation: Within 28 days, the service …
Recommendation
FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: The service hasn’t done enough since our last inspection to address its areas for improvement and provide clear direction to make sure that its teams can prioritise work according to risk. Recommendation: Within 28 days, the service …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Prevention activity is not a sufficiently high priority for the service, and it is not adequately identifying those most at risk from fire. Recommendation: By 30 September 2021, the service should have plans in place for:- the …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Prevention activity is not a sufficiently high priority for the service, and it is not adequately identifying those most at risk from fire. Recommendation: By 30 September 2021, the service should have plans in place for:- the …
Recommendation
FRS 2021-22 CoC Recommendations: Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Prevention activity is not a sufficiently high priority for the service, and it is not adequately identifying those most at risk from fire. Recommendation: By 30 September 2021, the service should have plans in place for:- an …
Recommendation
FRS 2018-19 CoC Recommendations: Avon Fire and Rescue Service
Cause of concern: Avon FRS isn’t doing enough to keep the public safe through regulation of fire safety. Its risk-based inspection programme is entirely reactive, as its inspection department doesn’t have enough staff. Recommendation: The service should make sure it …
Recommendation
IMB annual reports(18)
Elmley (2024)
HMP Elmley faces significant challenges, notably an "intolerable" fire safety risk in House Block 5 and generally deteriorating accommodation. While healthcare and equality initiatives show improvement, safety remains a concern with increased self-harm and use of force incidents, exacerbated by poor key working and inconsistent reception processes. Education attendance is low, and there's a need for more purposeful activity.
PRISON
Key concerns
Leyhill (2023)
HMP Leyhill, a Category D open prison, faces a complex transition with reduced capacity due to construction and a changing demographic towards a younger population. While safety, healthcare uptake, and education attendance are positive, significant concerns persist regarding resettlement delays for IPP prisoners due to a lack of approved premises and inefficiencies in external probation. Alarm systems, staffing levels, and the increasing presence of illicit items also require urgent attention, alongside challenges in food budgeting and healthcare screening for new arrivals.
PRISON
Key concerns
Lincoln (2023)
HMP Lincoln, a Category B prison, experienced a decrease in self-harm incidents and drug finds during the reporting period, alongside generally positive staff-prisoner relationships. However, significant concerns persist regarding the length and quality of maintenance work by Amey, and the inadequate access to specialist mental health facilities. Other key challenges include the impact of increasing operational capacity, difficulties for transient prisoners accessing education, issues with property transfers, and unsuitable infrastructure for vulnerable prisoners.
PRISON
Key concerns
Gartree (2023)
HMP Gartree maintains a calm and ordered environment with positive staff-prisoner relationships, though faces significant challenges with its ageing infrastructure and an increase in use of force incidents. While basic healthcare access is good, mental health services and purposeful activity require improvement. The Board highlights key concerns regarding building repairs, drug infiltration, fire safety, and adequate provision for vulnerable prisoners, while acknowledging efforts in staff recruitment and regime development.
PRISON
Key concerns
Highpoint (2023)
HMP Highpoint, a large Category C training and resettlement prison, reported around 1,300 prisoners during a year marked by significant increases in self-harm, violence, and assaults on staff. Key concerns included persistent issues with prisoner property management, inadequate maintenance services, and the ongoing challenge of contraband entry. Despite these, the report highlighted positive areas such as effective induction, a strong segregation unit, and robust neurodiversity support, alongside commendations for healthcare provision.
PRISON
Key concerns
Holme House (2023)
HMP Holme House, a Category C prison, experienced a challenging year ending December 2023, marked by increased violence, use of force, and significant issues with building disrepair and illicit items. While healthcare services notably improved and purposeful activity places expanded, staffing shortages impacted resettlement and Ofsted rated all five inspection areas as 'requires improvement'. The Board highlights the need for urgent attention to infrastructure, safety, and addressing the impact of a growing young adult population.
PRISON
Key concerns
Huntercombe (2023)
HMP Huntercombe, a Category C prison for foreign national men, largely maintained a full regime during 2023, with positive staff-prisoner relationships and a reduction in ACCTs. However, the Board remains significantly concerned about the influx of illicit items, persistent issues with heating, hot water, and cell window repairs, and an unsuitable healthcare building. Delays in transferring mentally unwell prisoners and ongoing property problems for those being deported are also highlighted, alongside staffing pressures in the Offender Management Unit.
PRISON
Key concerns
Garth (2023)
HMP Garth, a Category B training prison, generally provides a safe environment, though self-harm and violence incidents increased. The Board's key concerns include persistent staff shortages impacting regime stability, key worker schemes, and offender management. The prison's physical estate is in poor condition, and delays in mental health transfers for complex cases remain critical. The IMB highlights the ongoing challenges of the IPP sentence and issues with prisoner progression and property transport.
PRISON
Key concerns
Kirklevington Grange (2023)
HMP Kirklevington Grange, a Category D open prison, is considered a safe environment with positive staff-prisoner relationships and effective healthcare provision. Notable improvements in resettlement and external employment opportunities were observed. However, the Board expressed concerns over an increase in use of force incidents, an ageing estate infrastructure, and diminished chaplaincy services. Further issues include the impact of TPRS transfers on prisoner progression and persistent problems with property loss during inter-establishment transfers, as well as limited accredited vocational training opportunities.
PRISON
Key concerns
North East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber STHF (2024)
The IMB report for North East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber STHFs highlights varied conditions across the region's facilities, with particular focus on Swinderby RSTHF. While Swinderby benefits from positive staff-detainee relations and improved facilities, significant concerns persist regarding physical safety during building works, inadequate risk identification processes, and non-compliance with safer detention guidelines. Across all STHFs, the Board criticizes the policy on detainee medication, the unsuitability of some holding rooms, and restricted IMB access to essential documentation.
PRISON
Key concerns
Hollesley Bay (2023)
HMP/YOI Hollesley Bay generally provides a safe and humane environment, effectively handling bullying and aggression with no serious incidents in 2023. The Board commended the assimilation of PCoSO prisoners, the strong emphasis on employability, and the effective use of Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) for resettlement. Key concerns include the Government's rejection of IPP re-sentencing, the negative impact of temporary transfer schemes on prisoner engagement, and the need for greater investment in the open estate, including property management and healthcare provision.
PRISON
Key concerns
Thorn Cross (2020)
HMP/YOI Thorn Cross is a high-performing open prison for adult males, offering a positive rehabilitative culture where prisoners generally feel safe and are treated humanely. While the prison demonstrates good healthcare provision and strong staff-prisoner relationships, key concerns include the unsatisfactory state of the OMU building, the unsuitability of new furniture, and issues surrounding prisoner transfers, particularly regarding drug status and medical needs. The Board also highlights the need for a re-evaluation of mobile phone use and the high cost of telephone calls to maintain family links.
PRISON
Key concerns
Leicester (2023)
HMP Leicester is well-led, maintaining a relatively safe environment with reduced self-harm and assaults on staff, and improved reception facilities. Despite generally good physical and mental healthcare, significant concerns persist regarding long delays for mentally ill prisoners awaiting transfer, which can result in inhumane segregation. Staffing shortages have severely impacted key working and the regime on weekends, while aging infrastructure requires substantial capital investment, particularly for the gym. Resettlement efforts are hindered by a high proportion of men released without accommodation and underdeveloped substance misuse services.
PRISON
Key concerns
Grendon (2023)
HMP Grendon, a Category B therapeutic prison, maintained its core function and safety despite an increase in self-harm and violence intelligence reports. However, the Board raised significant concerns including persistent staff shortages impacting therapy and education, an ongoing rat infestation, and an inadequate night sanitation system. Patient satisfaction with healthcare significantly declined, exacerbated by a critical lack of data, while delays in a fire safety project and the issue of men unable to move out of therapy caused further disruption.
PRISON
Key concerns
Isle of Wight (2023)
HMP Isle of Wight's population rose to 1,089 in 2023, operating at near capacity. The prison experienced a rise in deaths in custody (13) and violent incidents (191), although self-harm decreased. Key challenges included aging infrastructure, high staffing vacancies in OMU and healthcare, and inconsistent regime delivery for older prisoners, while positive developments were noted in education and integrated mental health services.
PRISON
Key concerns
Frankland (2023)
HMP Frankland, a Category A dispersal prison, operated close to its 852 capacity, maintaining a generally safe environment despite some serious assaults. The IMB noted improvements in healthcare provision, reducing a previous 'enhanced surveillance' status, and a 75% achievement rate in education. Persistent concerns include outdated CCTV, ongoing kitchen equipment breakdowns and heating issues causing lost workdays, and long-standing problems with prisoner property during transfers. The Board also highlighted challenges in mental health provision for complex cases and inadequate facilities for older and disabled prisoners.
PRISON
Key concerns
Heathrow immigration removal centre (2023)
The IMB report for Heathrow IRC (2023) highlights increasing safety concerns, including a rise in self-harm (180 incidents), assaults (131 detainee-on-detainee, 54 on staff), and drug finds (104). The Board expresses significant concerns over the detention of mentally unfit individuals, the dilapidated infrastructure, and the misuse of segregation units. While health needs are generally met, staffing shortages and delayed Rule 35 responses remain problematic. The report also notes repeated concerns about prolonged detention times and the need for improved resettlement pathways for those on bail.
IRC
Key concerns
Preston (2020)
The Board found HMP Preston to be a well-run prison with good staff-prisoner relationships, despite the challenges of its Victorian infrastructure. Key concerns include the need for capital investment in reception and visits facilities, securing the adjacent museum building for security, improving body-worn camera usage, and investigating the unexpected lack of impact of the key worker scheme on IMB applications. The prison adapted well to the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
PRISON
Key concerns
IMB individual recommendations(16)
Elmley (2024)
Prisoners - and staff - are at substantial risk of serious harm due to the fire safety issues on house block 5. The Minister must take urgent action to address this very worrying problem and preclude its use as a residential house block until the risk is effectively mitigated.
Ministry of Justice
Implemented
Thorn Cross (2020)
The fire alarm system does not meet current standards. The residential units have now had adaptations to an external door, which can be opened by the prisoners in an emergency, allowing their exit. The installation of a new system, including smoke alarms in each room, has been dragging on for some time; however, although planning meetings and site surveys are …
HMPPS
In Progress
Styal (2021)
There is a significant fire risk to prisoners who reside in the 16 houses which have not yet been refurbished at Styal. A recent survey has classed all of these buildings as red fire risk. These risks include the existence of false ceilings, and ceilings made of lath and plaster, which would require expensive and specialist repair to be brought …
Ministry of Justice
In Progress
Grendon (2022)
Improvements to the delivery schedule of the ongoing fire and safety project, as well as improved handovers of completed wings, are necessary in order to reduce disruption and return the prison to capacity (5.1).
HMPPS
North East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber STHF (2024)
We recommend that the Contractor and Compliance Officer at Swinderby RSTHF review fire safety arrangements in light of the Board’s concerns about possible risks that have arisen during the reporting period (see sections on floor works and unlocking of fire evacuation doors).
Other
Styal (2025)
What additional resource will be made available to mitigate the serious fire safety concerns highlighted by the Board?
HMPPS
Gartree (2023)
Can the Prison Service confirm who ultimately is responsible for monitoring fire safety compliance in Gartree?
HMPPS
Grendon (2022)
Improvements to night sanitation from the fire safety project have yet to be evidenced and the Board continues to believe that the system does not meet decency and hygiene outcomes for prisoners (5.1.2).
HMPPS
Gartree (2024)
In last year’s report, the Board raised some issues about fire safety: there was no assurance that everyone knew either what a ‘general’ fire alarm sounded like or what should happen if one was heard. There have been some drills carried out in the past year and this is encouraging. Will the Board be allowed access to the report of …
HMPPS
Noted
Wakefield (2025)
The Board remains dissatisfied with the lack of progress in upgrading the physical infrastructure of the prison. We are monitoring the fire safety upgrade project, but there remains a need to focus investment in buildings that enable a productive regime. The evident lack of investment is creating frustration amongst staff and prisoners, particularly when the consequences lead to regime curtailment. …
HMPPS
In Progress
Thorn Cross (2020)
Following the sudden removal of chairs throughout the prison, replacement ones have now arrived. They are totally unsuitable. They look unattractive, easily tip up when you sit on the edge, and are uncomfortable. Prisoners have refused to use them, leaving many without a chair in their rooms. We are not convinced that a more suitable chair, at a reasonable cost, …
HMPPS
In Progress
Grendon (2020)
The Board appreciates that the current fire safety work includes some upgrade to the sanitation system software but believes that this work is unlikely to address the decency issues raised (see paragraphs 5.1.4 and 5.1.9).
HMPPS
In Progress
East Sutton Park (2022)
To review the fire contingency plan, as the Board considers that the new system needs to be carefully monitored as to its effectiveness at reaching all areas of the prison in a prompt manner.
Governor / Director
Grendon (2023)
The Board recommends that the Prison Service indicates when the delays in the delivery schedule of the ongoing fire and safety project will be permanently resolved.
HMPPS
In Progress
Gartree (2023)
Will the Minister confirm, again, that the necessary funding will be made available to Gartree to address the unacceptable state of the showers? In the response to the IMB’s 2021-2022 annual report, the Minister advised that ‘shower upgrades have been incorporated into the fire safety improvement programme…’. The building work on B wing took much longer than advised and there …
Ministry of Justice
Styal (2025)
Given the restrictions and huge costs of repairing Victorian buildings and refurbishing them to meet decency and fire safety standards, is any consideration being given to the total replacement of the existing prison buildings, and their replacement with accommodation and facilities more suited to the 21st century?
Ministry of Justice
Implemented
National patient safety alerts(1)
Detention investigations(7)
Investigation into the Disturbance and Fire at Yarl's Wood Removal … — Rec 52
fire drills be held at Yarl’s Wood at least monthly and that the requirement for detainees to leave the building be rigorously enforced.
Immigration Detention
Investigation into the Disturbance and Fire at Yarl's Wood Removal … — Rec 23
the fire safety adviser and the Crown Property Inspection Group take early steps to establish provenance on receipt of any request for advice and that they reserve their position until the matter has been resolved.
Immigration Detention
Investigation into the Disturbance and Fire at Yarl's Wood Removal … — Rec 16
GSL reviews its fire signage at all its centres and carries out regular management checks to ensure all fire safety measures are complied with.
Immigration Detention
Investigation into the Disturbance and Fire at Yarl's Wood Removal … — Rec 15
GSL reviews its fire contingency plans to ensure they are appropriate and offer adequate protection for detainees and staff.
Immigration Detention
Investigation into the Disturbance and Fire at Yarl's Wood Removal … — Rec 53
a member of the senior management team at Yarl’s Wood be given specific responsibility for fire safety.
Immigration Detention
Investigation into the Disturbance and Fire at Yarl's Wood Removal … — Rec 24
I do not think the case is made out for the installation of sprinklers in all removal centres, no matter what their size, function, or construction. It seems to me that each case should be judged on its merits, and this is what I recommend.
Immigration Detention
Investigation into the Disturbance and Fire at Yarl's Wood Removal … — Rec 10
the use of remotely-operated locks for zone gates be considered in all future removal centre designs, taking account of any fire safety requirements.
Immigration Detention
LGO / SPSO decisions(66)
20-013-206 — London Borough of Bromley
Summary: Mr X complained the Council failure to address concerns about his neighbour’s development. He said it did not comply with building regulations or its planning permission and created a potential risk of fire and water damage to his property. We do not find the Council was at fault because …
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Not Upheld
Jan 2022
21-018-962 — Milton Keynes Council
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint that the the Council delayed considering, then subsequently refused the complainants request for an External Wall System Fire Review certificate. This is because we have no jurisdiction to consider complaints from leaseholder about the actions of the Council as freeholders.
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Apr 2022
22-002-812 — Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that about a prohibition notice issued by the Fire Authority in 2015 and about a data protection breach. This is because the prohibition notice was issued too long ago and I see no good reason why a complaint could not have been made …
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Jun 2022
23-017-684 — West Northamptonshire Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s delay in discharging planning conditions and progressing a section 106 agreement. Also, the complainant says the Council refused to meet him and discuss safety issues after a building fire. We cannot achieve the outcome the complainant is seeking. We cannot …
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Mar 2024
24-023-061 — London Fire Commissioner
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the outcome of the Fire Service’s risk assessment. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify our involvement.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
May 2025
25-002-325 — London Fire Commissioner
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the recording of a fire by the Authority. This is because
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Jun 2025
24-010-970 — Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Authority’s response to a planning application for a commercial development. There is not enough evidence of fault and there is no significant injustice.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Nov 2024
24-003-681 — Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Authority’s actions relating to a Fire Risk Assessment. It was reasonable for him to take the matter to court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Dec 2024
25-011-781 — Bedfordshire & Luton Fire & Rescue Service
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the advice given to the Responsible Person for fire safety for the building where Mr X lives. We have not seen enough evidence of fault in the Fire Service’s actions. Also, we cannot achieve the outcome Mr X is seeking.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Jan 2026
25-023-545 — London Fire Commissioner
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
22-004-920 — Leicester City Council
Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the Council charging Mrs X for the replacement of a fire door during her Right to Buy application process in 2017. This complaint was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Aug 2022
21-019-039 — London Borough of Redbridge
Summary: There is no fault in how the Council dealt with Mr K’s report that his housing association had failed to do works to stop condensation build up interfering with his lighting and smoke detectors.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Not Upheld
Aug 2022
22-009-220 — Sedgemoor District Council
Summary: We cannot not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision on the level of fire detection system Mr X is required to install in his HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) property. This is because Mr X used appeal rights to the Tribunal which places the complaint outside our jurisdiction.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Oct 2022
24-022-586 — Cleveland Fire Brigade
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Authority’s response to and actions at a fire. There is no significant personal injustice, and we cannot achieve the outcome the complainant is looking for.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Jun 2025
25-001-114 — Chesterfield Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a penalty charge notice sent by the Council for failing to have a working smoke alarm in a rented property that he owns. This is because the complaint is late.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Jun 2025
24-019-366 — Somerset Council
Summary: Mrs B complained on behalf of the residents’ association that the Council failed to ensure the caravan site they live on complies with the site licence and legal requirements. The Council initially dealt with possible breaches of the licence effectively. However, it has failed to determine whether the Electrical …
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Upheld
Sep 2025
24-010-464 — Gloucestershire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the authority’s failure to take action over a complaint about domestic fire safety. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Nov 2024
24-015-640 — Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with a building control matter. This is because it is unlikely we could achieve a worthwhile outcome for the complainant.
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Dec 2024
25-005-008 — London Fire Commissioner
Summary: There was no fault in the way London Fire Brigade considered evidence submitted by the complainant, that the fire risk assessment for his building was flawed, or in its decision no further action was required. We have therefore completed our investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Not Upheld
Dec 2025
25-012-986 — Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
21-014-391 — Northumberland County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to take action against the developer of his property in relation to a retaining wall he believes is dangerous. This is because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Jan 2022
22-007-351 — Westminster City Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s charges for signing off his installation of a fire-suppressant system. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council causing Mr X significant injustice.
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Sep 2022
22-010-976 — Allerdale Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s administration of a building control matter. Mr X’s claimed injustice stems from the Council’s decisions on the case, which we have previously investigated, and we cannot achieve the outcome Mr X wants. The Information Commissioner is better placed to …
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Dec 2022
24-008-779 — Colchester City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council testing its fire evacuation procedures. There is no remaining unremedied injustice because of the actions the Council has already taken and in any case, we cannot award compensation for personal injury.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Oct 2024
24-010-278 — Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s involvement in a fire risk assessment. The Service is not responsible for some of the actions Mr X complains about. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Service’s actions to justify investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Apr 2025
24-022-887 — London Fire Commissioner
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about damage caused to his home following two visits from London Fire Brigade. Part of the complaint is late. It is reasonable for him to pursue a compensation claim for damage to his property through the courts and an investigation would not …
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Jun 2025
24-008-606 — South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Fire Service's findings on the cause of a house fire. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify our involvement.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Oct 2024
24-009-075 — Hampshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of various issues related to the proximity of a school close to Ms X’s home. This is because an investigation is unlikely to add to that already carried out by the Council or lead to a different outcome.
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Dec 2024
24-014-196 — Braintree District Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council dealt with his complaint or applied its Development Management Enforcement Policy. It is reasonable for Mr X to use his right of appeal to the High Court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Dec 2024
25-012-211 — Rother District Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
25-012-545 — South Norfolk District Council
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
PSOW-202307826 — Charter Housing Association (Part of the Pobl Group)
Ms X raised a formal complaint concerning damp and mould to Charter Housing Association (Part of the Pobl Group) in November 2023. She complained that she has not received its response. The Ombudsman found that the Association is still actively investigating her concerns and awaiting information but failed to update …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Housing
Jan 2024
21-009-365 — London Borough of Newham
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to a complaint about delay in providing information. This is because the response has not caused so significant an injustice as to warrant the Ombudsman’s intervention
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Apr 2022
23-019-400 — Brighton & Hove City Council
Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to properly investigate and take appropriate action in relation to reports of disrepair and safety concerns at his privately rented property. We found there is no evidence of fault in the way the Council investigated or responded to reports of disrepair at Mr …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Not Upheld
Sep 2024
25-001-388 — North Somerset Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to reimburse the complainant’s legal costs. This is because it is reasonable to expect Mr Y to take the matter to court who are better placed to consider the complaint.
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Jul 2025
25-002-370 — Leicester City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Mr X’s complaint about the building regulations fees charged by the Council and the service provided. We have not seen enough evidence of fault in the Council’s actions. Nor do we consider the complainant has suffered a significant personal injustice which warrants …
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Jul 2025
25-006-339 — City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with a building control matter. This is because it is unlikely we could achieve a worthwhile outcome for the complainant.
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Aug 2025
24-012-397 — East Cambridgeshire District Council
Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to take enforcement action against a developer after installing defective drainage at his home, and failed to pursue the developer for making false representations. He also said the Council signed off the drainage without completing proper checks. We found no fault in the …
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Not Upheld
Aug 2025
25-010-247 — Humberside Fire Authority
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Authority’s position relating to public events and data collection. There is no evidence the Authority’s actions has caused X a significant injustice and we cannot achieve the outcome they seek.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Sep 2025
25-009-960 — London Fire Commissioner
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about forced entry to her home by the London Fire Brigade. It is reasonable to expect Ms X to take court action for compensation damage to her property. It is unlikely investigation by us would reach a clearer view or achieve significantly …
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Sep 2025
25-006-678 — Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about how the Council carried out building control inspections. This is because we do not start an investigation where there is not enough evidence of fault or when an investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Sep 2025
24-022-942 — Maidstone Borough Council
Summary: We found fault by the Council on Mr Y’s complaint about it failing to take prompt action against the owner of the building his rented flat was in which suffered serious damp and mould from leaks. It failed to carry out an assessment under the Housing Health and Safety …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Upheld
Nov 2025
24-007-637 — Manchester City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s inspection of Mr X’s new roof by its Building Control Service. This is because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council sufficient to warrant an investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Oct 2024
24-012-156 — London Fire Commissioner
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the actions of the Authority at an incident where it damaged Mr X’s property. We cannot achieve the outcome Mr X wants.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Oct 2024
24-011-100 — Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Authority’s decision on how it responded to fire safety concerns Mrs X raised with it. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. There is no significant …
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Oct 2024
24-011-800 — Royal Borough of Greenwich
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to take enforcement action regarding several metal structures he believes are unsafe and may breach the Building Regulations. This is because the issue does not cause Mr X significant enough injustice to warrant investigation. As the structures have …
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Nov 2024
201300467 — Albyn Housing Society Ltd
Mrs C lives in a house that had electric night storage heaters, using an economy meter with a reduced tariff. Following public meetings with their tenants, the housing association decided to implement a programme of external wall insulation and replace night storage heating with an air source heat pump system. …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Local Government
Partly Upheld
Jan 2014
201203796 — Prospect Community Housing
Mr C raised concerns about the way in which the association dealt with a leak from his flat into his downstairs neighbour's property. He said they failed to identify the real cause of the leak as a broken pipe and unreasonably issued him with an invoice for the repairs. In …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Jan 2014
25-015-454 — London Borough of Hounslow
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response after Miss X reported disrepair and hazards at the property she privately rents. This is because it is unlikely we will find fault by the Council and we cannot achieve the outcome she seeks.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Dec 2025
201900196 — South Lanarkshire Council
A number of years ago, Mr C bought a new build property from a housing developer. Mr C had work done to his property and the structural steel beams were exposed. Mr C was concerned that they did not have adequate fire protection and that the construction differed from the …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Jul 2020