Invest more in existing homes

When it comes to building safety there is no time for complacency, and we’re doing everything we can to ensure every home is a safe one.

Building safety is a top priority for us, so we continued all of our fire safety programmes during the pandemic. Since November 2020 we have undertaken an electrical test and inspection to over 5,000 properties to ensure customer safety. And we’ve completed inspections and surveys on all our buildings over 18m, 11-18m and assessing surveys for all blocks under 11m. To prioritise building safety, we’re investing £63m between 2020/21 and 2025/26. During this time, we’re delivering a full range of initiatives that go beyond the legislative environment and prioritise customer safety.

During 2020/21, we made a £9.4m capital investment in our stock, predominantly in the final quarter of the year. We have taken the opportunity to reassess our stock and where investment works are required for next year, we have committed a £17m investment.

We’re currently replacing the cladding on two of our high-rise buildings in Slough which are over 18m in height. There are 96 flats in each building which are home to more than 200 customers.

Working with experts, we’re using non-combustible cladding and insulation to ensure that the replacement meets safety standards. The buildings have been inspected by the Fire and Rescue Service and a Waking Watch team were on site 24 hours a day to ensure customer safety.

We’re replacing all the windows on both buildings at the same time as the cladding to improve insultation. This will make the homes more energy efficient for residents and reduce heating costs and carbon emissions.

The fire alarm system has also been upgraded, including installations of heat and smoke detection systems in each home. These will be networked to the fire service, resulting in a faster response if needed. A chair evacuation system will also be installed along with new LED emergency lighting in the staircases and corridors.

We’ve communicated with customers to provide reassurance in the following ways

• We’re keeping customers informed through webinars, letters, emails and text messages.
• It’s a team effort - colleagues from asset management, housing, communities, employment services and communications have been on hand to answer questions.
• We’ve prepared a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) accessible online for customers.
• We have a dedicated email address for customers to send in questions.
• We’re holding monthly cladding, housing and community updates.
• We’ve assigned a Resident Liaison Officer who supports customers specifically with cladding-related questions or concerns.
• We’re also working closely with the local ward councillor to help customers, collaborating together on a joint newsletter to keep customers informed.