Key information
Request reference number: MGLA120724-7213
Date of response:
Summary of request
Request:
1. How many times has the GLA been notified of fire safety risks in regards to Timber Frame construction homes in London? Please provide who reported it and when.
2. When the GLA has become aware of fire safety risks in Timber Frame homes, did the GLA notify all councils of the potential risks so they could conduct reviews? Please provide which councils were notified and when.
3. In 2009 following a fire in Peckham a question was raised to the Mayor: https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/questions-mayor/find-an-answer/timber-framed-houses Please provide the letter which was sent to the Secretary of State, and any responses received from them.
4. In 2024 Barnet Council reported a fire safety risk in regards to Timber Frame homes following a fire in Finchley in 2023. Please provide information on if the GLA conducted any further investigation into this issue, and if the GLA made any other boroughs aware of the risk and when.
Our response to your request is as follows:
1. The GLA does not hold records on the number of times a specific type of issue is raised within correspondence on that point, it would take longer than 18 hours to research all previous correspondence and consider which ones relate to Timber Frame related notifications. This would not be a good use of public resources, therefore in line with S12 of the FoI Act we are unable to provide this information.
2. As above, the GLA does not hold records on the number of times a specific type of issue is raised within correspondence on that point, it would take longer than 18 hours to research all previous correspondence and consider which ones relate to Timber Frame related notifications. This would not be a good use of public resources, therefore in line with S12 of the FoI Act we are unable to provide this information.
3. The GLA does not hold this information
4. The GLA had initial discussions with Barnet Council to understand their approach and how it could support its programme of work. This involved writing to Minister Rowley asking that government: 1) takes steps to understand the scale of serious fire risks in low-rise buildings nationally; 2) supports local authorities in identifying and responding to them; 3) reviews funding support for the council’s low rise remediation programme; and 4) reconsiders prohibiting the use of combustible materials in the external wall systems of all homes. Please find letter attached.
The GLA followed up with London Councils. London Councils reached out to other Boroughs to understand if there was known risk in their housing stock.
Barnet Council worked with London Councils to issue a press release for local authorities in London, which was issued in March 2024. The GLA did not issue separate press releases on Barnet’s announcement of a new low-rise funding programme.