Following the launch of our Neighbourhoods and Specialist Housing service, we created our Neighbourhoods and Building Safety Group.
The group is formed of our customers from all regions, who give us feedback about our increased focus on local areas, planned changes and help influence our services.
Thank you to everyone that shared your experience of the service so far, either through attending an online resident group, completing a feedback form or coming along to one of our local events.
Update September 2024
September’s session was focused on building and fire safety and how we’re meeting the requirements of the Building Safety Act, following the publication of the final Grenfell Tower enquiry report.
Update from Lesley Smith, Head of Building Safety & Neighbourhoods
- All except one Neighbourhood Officer posts have been filled
- Our Neighbourhoods team have completed more than 23,000 inspections between January and September and raised over 3,000 new communal repairs. They’ve interacted with hundreds of customers either in person - either in their homes or at drop-in events
- A potential recommendation from the Grenfell enquiry report considers building safety regardless of building height. We’ve registered all higher risk buildings (tall towers) with the Building Safety Regulator and will provide a Building Safety Case Report for each
- Neighbourhood Officers carry out quarterly communal door checks and annual residential door checks in line with fire safety legislation.
Customer feedback
If you don’t live in a tall building, would you expect your landlord to give you that same service?
- Building safety elements have improved, and Hyde will need to consider those customers who are hoarding
- Agree that same safety service should be offered to all buildings, regardless of height
- Bicycles stored in communal walkways and balconies are a safety risk in the event of an emergency
- Buildings need to be policed to stop parking immediately in front of building entrance which could impact emergency services gaining access
- Concerned scaffolding on buildings for extended timeframes is an additional risk.
Hyde is required to have a communications strategy in place for each tall building, in line with the Building Safety Act. What do we need to do differently, the same or more of?
- Recording of vulnerabilities should include where there’s a care package in place
- Let residents know in advance if building safety works will require access to customers’ homes. If plans change, keep residents informed
- Improve enforcement when residents’ actions impact building safety
- Review old posters, notice boards so customers take notice
- Tailored communications are essential, including estate inspection information
- Explain what is meant by ‘building safety’ as this is not always obvious.
What’s changed as a result of customer feedback
- A review our Neighbourhood Officer information, including noticeboards and online
- More visibility of staff.
Our next Neighbourhoods and Building Safety customer group meeting will be held online on 10 December 2024.
See our previous update from July 2024 (PDF, 116KB)