Published Date: Oct 5th, 2023
Tenants living in two council-owned blocks of flats in Methil are set to benefit from a £4.5million package of improvement works following a review of fire safety.
Councillors at Fife Council’s Cabinet Committee have backed the programme drawn up for Swan and Memorial Court after a review suggested the external wall insulation (EWI) used on the buildings in 2012 and 2013 potentially posed a higher risk.
The local authority is working in partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who continue to provide support and have robust procedures in place in relation to firefighting operations within high-rise buildings.
As a precaution the Council has taken the view that the existing cladding should now be stripped down and replaced with mineral wool EWI as soon as possible at a cost of between £2m-£3m.
At the same time, a range of other improvements will now also be carried out which will enhance the 156 households occupying both blocks.
These will include the replacement of kitchens and bathrooms with the installation of appropriate fire stopping in each flat; an upgrade of the electric heating system to Infra-Red Heating already installed at Forth View flats in Kirkcaldy; and the installation of a new fire evacuation alarm system to both blocks.
The total cost for all the work – estimated between £4m and £4.5m – will be met over two financial years from existing budgets, and the programme of works is due to run from now until September 2024.
Councillor Judy Hamilton, Fife Council’s housing and building services spokesperson, said regular reports will be made to the Levenmouth Area Committee as the works progress.
“Improving the fire safety of our tower blocks in Fife and the safety of our tenants and residents is paramount to the Council,” she said.
“While replacing the external wall insulation in this instance, it makes perfect sense for us to take the opportunity to upgrade the tower blocks to EESSH 2 standard to realise all the benefits that would bring, and it’s also only right to upgrade both blocks simultaneously to further reassure people living in the area.
“These works will be delivered at pace to ensure that the highest standards continue to be met and that tenants can be reassured that they remain safe in their homes at Swan and Memorial Courts.”
Councillor Colin Davidson, convener of the Levenmouth Area Committee, added: “I’m delighted to see Fife Council act so swiftly on this issue because tenants’ safety is of course our top concern here.
“We will not compromise on safety standards and we hope that the steps we are taking to raise standards further will be welcomed by everyone.”
Councillors also heard that all tenants at Swan and Memorial Court, which has 24/7 caretaker and concierge cover at present, have been kept fully up to date with developments since the findings from the review came to light.
A team of housing officers began communication and engagement with council tenants, and staff visited all vulnerable tenants as a matter of urgency.
Drop-in sessions in the tenants’ lounges have also been held by representatives from the Council’s housing service and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and these will continue over the coming weeks and months.
Furthermore, housing services are arranging additional staff resources to be recruited to double up the concierge cover for the period of the works planned.
John Mills, head of housing services, said: “Our approach through experience is based on the following principles: to be open and transparent with elected members and our tenants, to get on the ground quickly and carry out face-to-face visits, to follow that up with clear fire safety advice in partnership with SFRS, and continue to be visible and closely engage with tenants for as long as required.
“The initial feedback from staff is that there has not been a significant number of concerns or questions raised by our tenants, which is obviously great news, but we’d encourage anyone who has any issues to get in touch with us as soon as they can.”
Any tenants or any other interested parties who may be affected and wish to raise their concerns can email arearegenerationteam@fife.gov.uk.
The full report to Fife Council’s Cabinet Committee can be found here: Agenda Pack for Cabinet Committee 5th October 2023 (fife.gov.uk)
The review that has been undertaken at Swan and Memorial Courts is not pertinent to any of the council tower blocks in Fife because of the different mineral wool material used to install EWI. One block in Kirkcaldy remains to be clad with EWI in 2024 and that will be based on the mineral wool EWI when tenders have been returned.
