Questions over fire safety, disabilities, and the redevelopment of Haringey Civic Centre were answered, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Haringey Council’s cabinet members faced questions on safety and accessibility in council homes and asset management amid concerns.

Senior Labour councillors spent 45 minutes yesterday (Monday 22nd), during a full council meeting at Tottenham Town Hall, answering questions from other members on issues affecting the borough.

Independent socialist group councillor Mary Mason wanted to ask cabinet member for housing Sarah Williams if the council could ensure the safety of disabled residents within high-rise council blocks.

Cllr Mason referred to the fire tragedy at Grenfell Tower in 2017 as the reason behind her concern, as the death toll amongst disabled residents was far higher than those without disabilities.

Answering on behalf of Cllr Williams, who was absent, cabinet member for placemaking and local economy, Ruth Gordon, acknowledged the 72 “preventable deaths” and the circumstances in which they happened.

Cllr Gordon said: “We work very closely with the London Fire Brigade, to find better ways to tackle each and every problem.”

The fire brigade would provide fire safety advice for residents and if necessary fire safety equipment too, she said, adding: “We make a point of knowing all of our tenants so that we know if they will require assistance to evacuate the building in an emergency.

“Tenants and officers undertake a personal fire risk assessment with the resident.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Scott Emery asked Cllr Gordon about the financial risks around the redevelopment of Haringey Civic Centre in Wood Green.

Cllr Gordon said the scheme was “projected to fall within its £6million operated budget” and continued: “We have designed the project to guard against cost escalation and have already taken measures to prevent any unseen expenses.

“We have built in a contingency for the budget as part of our financial management, any further budgeting pressures will be managed within this framework.”

Labour councillor Makbule Gunes asked Cllr Gordon what the council was doing to ensure council-owned properties are being used for the benefit of the community.

Cllr Gordon said that as of 2023, the council’s property portfolio was valued at £1.5billion, “an enormous enterprise”.

The council’s asset management strategy work to “maintain, invest, divest or repurpose” assets in order to maximise benefits to communities and “react to changing needs of communities over time” was key, she added.

A collaboration with the cabinet member for communities, Ajda Ovat, to develop policy to deliver this aim, is also taking place.

Cllr Gordon emphasised income generated from assets would be reinvested into the property and used to assist voluntary sector organisations which helped the council “deliver services”.

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