The endorsement of the Housing Services Cabinet Committee is sought in relation to the draft Asset Management Policies attached to this agenda with a view that the policies be submitted to Cabinet for approval.

The Assistant Director (Operations) introduced the policies advising that the endorsement of the Housing Services Cabinet Committee was sought in relation to the draft Asset Management Policies listed below:

·         Asbestos Policy & Management Plan

·         Construction & Maintenance Safety Policy & Management Plan

·         Fire Safety Policy & Management Plan

·         Gas Safety Policy & Management Plan

·         Lift Maintenance Policy & Management Plan

·         Water Hygiene Policy and Scheme of Control for Legionella Bacteria

The policies had been created and developed in the last 18 months to ensure compliance with regulatory and legislative requirements.

The Asset Manager advised that there had been many changes at Brookvale over the last 2 to 3 years including the introduction of new policies, procedures and working practices primarily to ensure the health and safety of residents and Council staff.

Following a general question raised in relation to the Council’s powers to police privately owned businesses and properties with regard to asbestos and fire safety etc, Members were advised that within the scope of this Committee, only Council-owned HRA stock was included. Building Regulations also applied to the private sector but this was not the responsibility of the Council.

Members noted that the Council had one type of sheltered accommodation (Supported Housing) in the Borough.

Asbestos Policy & Management Plan

Members were advised that annual inspections were undertaken together with a survey of any areas that were being renewed or replaced i.e. kitchens, and all information was shared with contractors. However, it was noted that the incidence of asbestos was slowly reducing since the introduction of the ban on its use in 1999.

It was noted that asbestos could remain hidden in the human body for 20 to 30 years and the ban on the use of asbestos was very welcome.

Construction & Maintenance Safety Policy & Management Plan

This Plan involved health and safety project planning, before, during and after construction.

Fire Safety Policy & Management Plan

This Plan had recently been submitted to the Council’s Management Team and there had been a great deal of discussion with regard to the Hackitt report in relation to the Grenfell Tower fire. The consultation document ran to 198 pages and contained 122 questions for consultees to respond to. Gravesham was the only local authority in Kent that had retro fitted sprinklers in two Council-owned blocks of flats. Work was ongoing in high-rise and therefore high risk buildings.

Officers were thanked for their pro-active approach to high-rise buildings and it was noted that building regulations do not require sprinklers to be fitted to these properties.

Gas Safety Policy & Management Plan

This plan included gas installation, repairs and maintenance. Members were advised that the performance of this service had been 100% compliant 24 months in a row.

Lift Maintenance Policy & Management Plan

There were 24 lifts and 150 stair lifts in the Council’s portfolio. Zurich Municipal, the Council’s insurers undertook bi-annual checks as did the Council’s approved servicing contractor.

Water Hygiene Policy and Scheme of Control for Legionella Bacteria

The Committee was advised that this was in relation to stored water in blocks and properties.

It was agreed that the above listed Asset Management Policies be recommended for approval by Cabinet