Many of the residents of Wednesfield North like Mary, Rita and I, will have been looking at the Tower Block of flats that have been on fire today with horror. This morning’s news about the fire at Grenfell Tower in London is shocking and our thoughts are with all the people affected.
When I was alerted to the news this morning I spoke about the horror of the incident, and expressed my condolences on social media.
But tonight I want to reassure my readers and our constituents here in Wednesfield North, that from early this morning this City Council have been active and checking and rechecking the Wolverhampton City Council situation.
I want to re-assure my constituents their families and their friends if I can with this information.
First of all there are no high rise flats here in Wednesfield North,
But the City does have 36 tower blocks located across the city, 18 of those have external cladding.
I want to re-assure you that there are Fire safety measures in place at all these towers.
All fire safety standards are maintained including:
- Daily fire safety checks.
- Professional expert annual fire risk assessments.
- Fire retardant paint in communal areas – specification checked.
- Dry risers in place and regularly checked.
- Smoke alarms are installed in every flat.
The Grenfell Tower disaster will focus heavily over the next few days, as the horror becomes more evident, and the injuries and the missing persons are addressed in ever more detail.
As a City Councillor I am pleased with the actions taken by the City of Wolverhampton Council to date:
The City Council have worked quickly and with urgency to inform us that they are confident that the cladding in Wolverhampton is of the correct standard, but City Officials are undertaking urgent checks with manufacturers. I am very pleased that this is taking place with speed and urgency.
I am further informed that this City Council will be making and delivering an update for tenants and residents living in high rise flats. I think that this level of assurance is good as everyone will be jumpy about the panic they have witnessed in London via the television.
This morning’s news about the fire at Grenfell Tower in London is shocking and the images we have all watched all day will be with us for a long time. I know that constituents here in Wednesfield North will be as one with us, and your thoughts, like ours will be with all the people affected by this calamity.
I also hope you will recognise this note is meant to re-assure you that our City Officials are doing all they can to check, question, and deliver safe homes for our citizens…..
I can assure you that your City Councillors are already working with Officials and the fact is that the City Council also works closely with the local fire service, and I am assured that they have not advised of any issues.
Wolverhampton like many other City’s and Towns will look carefully to see if any lessons can be learned from this terrible incident in London. I will of course keep you the readers up dated with any news as I receive it.
