SPRINKLER systems could be installed in Colchester homes in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Colchester Council’s cabinet voted in favour of updating the current systems, as part of future refurbishment plans, in houses of multiple occupation or sheltered housing schemes owned by the council.
Julie Young (Lab), who proposed the motion, also wants the council to investigate changing planning policy to ensure new applications for these property types, including schools, hospitals and care homes, are recommended for sprinklers.
She said: “It’s been six weeks since we saw Grenfell Tower melt before our eyes. I still remember the looks of individual faces at the windows.
“We must ensure residents are safe but must also go further than what we’re currently doing.
“It’s awful to have to watch councillors at Kensington and Chelsea Council go through this because like us, they were there elected to do a job but they really were caught out in this example, and I don’t want Colchester caught out going forward.”
Mrs Young successfully lobbied for the same system at newly-refurbished Enoch House in Greenstead.
Soon after the Grenfell blaze, Colchester Council and Colchester Borough Homes also assured residents none of its high rise properties contained the same lethal cladding.
Adam Fox (Lab) gave his support to the motion after describing how his cousin died following an electrical fire in a London high rise.
He said: “The more we can do to make residents’ homes as safe as possible, the better.”
Robert Davidson (Con) said: “We deal a lot with private landlords and homeless people and have a duty of care to them too.
"I would urge all our people we’re putting into housing, whether those are private or Colchester Borough Homes properties, they should be checked and encouraged to fit safety measures”
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