Following the blaze at Grenfell Tower in London earlier this week, Dame Caroline Spelman has visited tower blocks in Chelmsley Wood with local Councillor Ken Hawkins, the local cabinet member for housing. The local MP also met with Solihull Community Housing and planning officials to discuss the issue of fire safety.
In reassuring local residents about the safety of local tower blocks, Dame Caroline said,’ Following regular correspondence with the local council and Solihull Community Housing as well as a meeting with them, I have been advised that all of the necessary checks have been carried out to ensure that strictest fire regulations are met in all blocks and that the materials used to clad the facade of the building are not the same as those used in the case of Grenfell Tower in London. Further, that their neighbourhood team have been visiting local residents and distributing literature to reassure tenants of the efforts being taken to ensure their safety’.
Cllr Hawkins said, 'The fire in London is a great tragedy and I have asked that at the earliest opportunity Local Authorities and Housing Associations are kept up to date with the findings of the fire investigation. We need to know as soon as possible not only the cause of the fire but the reasons it accelerated so quickly'.