Concrete building risk in Merton?

Merton Liberal Democrats have written to the Leader of Merton Council and its Chief Executive urging them to undertake an immediate review of Council-owned buildings built between the 1950s and 1980s, after the Government warned some concrete buildings are at risk of collapse.

More than 150 schools in England have been identified as having a type of potentially dangerous concrete - with many now closing buildings or classrooms to make them safe.

More than 150 schools have been identified as having a type of potentially dangerous concrete (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete - RAAC), with many now closing buildings or classrooms to make them safe. The Government is currently refusing to reveal the full list of schools affected by failing concrete. The danger facing our schools is compounded by revelations of asbestos being present too.

In their letter, the Lib Dems have asked Merton Council whether they are aware of any local schools affected, or have identified issues with either RAAC and/or asbestos.

However, they also warn that the problem is not only prevalent in schools. Estimates suggest that 5-10% of council-owned buildings built in the 1950s-1980s could have the same problems.

Cllr Paul Kohler, Wimbledon Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate, said:

"We should never have got to this point. The Government has known about this crumbling concrete and asbestos for years, but time and again has denied local authorities the money needed to stop schools and other Council-owned buildings from collapsing completely.

We cannot wait for another Grenfell-scale disaster to happen before taking action. If buildings are dangerous, we need to know where they are immediately.

The Government has shirked responsibility to local authorities, so Merton Council now has to step up and lead a local response. We're calling on them to undertake an urgent review of all Council-owned buildings built between the 1950s and 1980s before it is too late. We also want them to work with housing associations and the local NHS to identify whether local housing and hospital buildings are facing the same problems."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1.    DfE's public risk register has said that there is a "critical and very likely" risk of a building collapse or failure causing death or injury. See page 27 here.

2.     The NAO concluded that the DfE "currently lacks comprehensive information on the extent and severity of potential safety issues across the school estate, although it has made progress in the last year." See page 8 here.

Merton Liberal Democrats' open letter to Cllr Ross Garrod (Leader) and Hannah Doody (CEO) is copied below.

Dear Ross & Hannah

I write to you following the disturbing revelations that hundreds of schools, hospitals, homes, and other public buildings are at risk of collapse because they were built using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) and subsequent reports that this could be compounded by the presence of asbestos.  

It is barely believable that the Government is still resisting releasing a full list of the schools which they fear are affected, so we need to know of the findings of any investigations here in Merton. 

Has the Council been alerted to any schools in Merton which are closing part of their buildings due to RAAC and/or asbestos? If so, please could you inform us which schools are affected. 

As you will be aware, the problem doesn't end in schools. RAAC and asbestos was used extensively in construction during the 1950s to mid-1980s. The consultancy Rapleys estimates that 5-10% of buildings built during this period could be affected, including homes which were owned by the Council at the time. Please could you confirm that this issue with local housing association and the local NHS to ensure they are making the necessary safety checks, and are doing what you can to assist them and advise residents of any remedial action.

A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has already said: "Anyone who provides people with a home must be confident that that home is safe. The responsibility for replacing or mitigating the use of RAAC rests with the relevant building owners." The Local Government Association is also advising local authorities to check as a matter of urgency whether any buildings in local estates have roofs, floors, cladding or walls made of RAAC. 

As it did in the aftermath of the Grenfell fire, it seems the Government is shirking all responsibility for remediation onto property owners. We believe the Government must provide councils with the necessary funding and technical expertise to repair or replace those buildings with RAAC and/or asbestos. 

But, in the meantime, the Council has all the responsibility to ensure that residents are safe, and it must play its part. The Council cannot wait for a major disaster to occur before taking action. 

Could you please detail what plans Merton Council has to undertake this urgent review of Council-owned buildings and homes built during the 1950s to mid-1980s?  

I look forward to hearing your response.

With all best wishes,

Councillor Paul Kohler

Liberal Democrat lead for corporate governance, partnerships and policing

Wimbledon Town Centre & Dundonald Ward

Merton Council

Liberal Democrat Group