Leader's speech to Full Council: Wednesday 24 July 2024

Council Leader Cllr Elizabeth Campbell used her speech at the Full Council meeting on Wednesday 24 July to reflect on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase One report. This is a transcript of her words.

Mr Mayor,

There is a lot to talk about and a lot to process this evening.

And I know that I speak for all of us here in the chamber tonight when I say we are deeply affected by the testimony that we have just heard and it has touched our souls and it will continue to drive change at the Council.

But it would be also be wrong for me to address full council tonight without first updating colleagues on the horrific events in the north of the borough on Sunday evening.

A 15-year-old boy was shot and killed in broad daylight in one of our own parks.

And to say this is shocking would be a huge understatement.

First and foremost our thoughts are with the family of the boy - it is very difficult to imagine what they are going through right now.

Police are still investigating what happened and of course the big question of why.

Why such a senseless killing has happened, and why at a place where families should have been able to be safe and enjoying themselves.

Mr Mayor

I visited Emslie Horniman Park first thing Monday morning and met with police, the local MP and our teams have been in contact with local Councillors.

I spoke with residents and the level of concern is palpable. People are in a state of shock and anger. I have seen the media coverage, with people describing the panic and fear as they fled for cover.

The event on Sunday was billed as a family fun day - which is exactly what it should have been. To end in such tragic and violent circumstances is something that cannot be ignored.

Nor can the concerns of Londoners.

Like many boroughs across London, it feels like we are beginning to see a worrying new normal.

Where crime now involves guns.

The Mayor of London, the Met Police, and those now in Government need to act and act quickly.

Real leadership is required in this city and on this issue above all else - as tragic events like this demonstrate inn the worst possible terms.

The consequences of allowing gun and knife crime to continue creeping into our society, in this city.

Sarah will be speaking about our own approach tonight and in the coming days.

And this is going to include community engagement on the ground.

And we have teamed-up with police to conduct enhanced patrols in the area.

And we will both continue to fight for more police on our streets in the borough.

We both believe a deterrent can only be effective - if it is visible.

Mr Mayor

At this point, let me return to other items on our agenda.

Before I do I think I should say a big thank you to our younger speakers - as ever, the topics they raised and the way they spoke about them was really challenging and its given us a lot to reflect on this evening.

Mr Mayor

Tragic events always need our full attention, whether it was something that just happened this week, or over seven years ago.

And I have always felt it to be incredibly important to share the experience of Testimony Week with those who represent our communities right across this borough.

Seven months on, the testimony we have just seen and heard as is raw as it ever was. I spoke at length in January about the bravery of families involved, and what an impact the week had had on us as an organisation.

It provided the impetus for change.

And as we approach the final inquiry report on September the 4th.

I believe the same applies.

It will be a hugely significant moment for our communities.

And I will make sure that it is a hugely significant moment for this organisation.

So we continue to become a better organisation - A lasting legacy from Grenfell.

But, Mr Mayor, I also believe that actions speak louder than words.

And the footage that we have all seen this evening shows many people rightly feel we haven't yet changed enough. We still have a long way to go to complete the fundamental culture change that we are committed to.

But tonight I want to give councillors an update on what we have done since the end of phase one of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and its recommendations:

One

All Fire Risk Appraisals of external walls for all of our higher-rise buildings have been completed and were sent to the London Fire Brigade before any legal requirement to do so.

Two

The Inquiry called for an urgent inspection of all fire doors and to ensure all relevant fire doors are fitted with self-closures.

We have completed 98 per cent of our fire door replacement programme, replacing more than 3,000 doors in our higher-risk buildings.

In some cases - as the fire door market was found wanting - we have had to replace them twice or even three times.

What's more, we are now replacing a further 1,400 in lower-risk, lower-rise buildings by the end of 2024.

Three

Doors are tested regularly in buildings over 11m and 99.6 per cent of communal doors passed their inspection this year.

Four

We have written to all residents in blocks over 11 metres to offer people centred fire-risk assessments. Vulnerable residents identified during this process involved are offered a personal emergency evacuation plan - a PEEP.

As of June 2024, we had completed 748 assessments and issued 362 plans. There is currently no legislation or guidance on introducing PEEPs and we will continue to call on the Government to implement this recommendation.

Five

We have installed Secure Information Boxes on all our residential buildings over 11m, going further than the recommendation of adding them to buildings of 18m and taller.

Six

We have implemented monthly lift inspections, including the lift switches which allow firefighters to take control of lifts.

Seven

We sent booklets to Council tenants and leaseholders explaining the evacuation procedure for their specific block. Floor plans are also stored in building Secure Information Boxes and sent to London Fire Brigade.

Eight

The Inquiry called for all high-rise buildings' floor numbers to be clearly marked on each landing. We had completed the recommendation ahead of the deadline of January 2023.

Mr Mayor

Some of this information is technical of course it is

But it is important.

As I mention it here tonight because I want colleagues in this chamber, and people in our communities, to know that when we say we will do something, we mean it.

You know we are sure footed in the changes we have made as an organisation. But we are also honest about what we have done, and what we have not yet achieved.

So when the final phase of the inquiry arrives in September.

We will - again - look hard at the recommendations and what we need to do.

In the months ahead I look forward to working with all members here tonight to make sure that our response is credible, is honest, and is community-led.

Thank you

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