The fatal fire at a council-owned block in Daleham Gardens where safety recommendations had not been implemented

• CAMDEN Council is remarkably quiet about important fire safety issues. The council should respond directly to the New Journal on fire topics raised in these pages.

The editorial of June 28 asks questions about evacuation of the Chalcots towers, (Look for the real Chalcots culprits, not the fire service).

Cllr Luisa Porritt raised the issue of council failures in the lead-up to the evacuation, (Chalcots report is a missed opportunity to address historic failures, July 5).

I raised questions about inaction on 2012 Fire Risk Assessments, (After Chalcots, here are questions to Camden Council, July 5).

I also highlighted deficiencies in property management, mismanagement of fire safety in 2018 (post-Grenfell and post-Chalcots), and the council’s difficulties in procuring fire safety works.

Another New Journal editorial raised questions about the fatal fire at council-owned flats in Daleham Gardens, (Council orders smoke alarm tests after woman dies in blaze, July 5).

The council has not responded. Perhaps officers are uncertain who is responsible for fire safety to deal with these pressing questions?

Is it Mike Cooke, “chief executive”? Is it Jennifer Rowlands, “executive director, supporting communities”? Is it Keith Scott, “director of resident safety”? Maybe it’s Gavin Haynes, “acting director of property management”?

Or Peter Hall, “head of safe places”? Or should elected members respond, to break the log-jam? Perhaps Cllr Georgia Gould, “leader of the council”? Or Cllr Meric Apak, “cabinet member for better homes”?

Answering these questions isn’t a job for Camden’s resident-led “fire safety advisory panel”. That’s a voluntary body with no executive authority.

An issue that residents must hear about quickly is when Camden’s management and procurement systems (for identifying and implementing fire safety works) will be thoroughly overhauled and upgraded. And how?

That’s urgent, because it’s evident that Camden struggles badly to discharge its legal obligations for fire safety, as landlord and freeholder of 30,000 homes.

Residents want safety and rapid reliable delivery. Not waffle and delays. Camden Council, please respond.

RICHARD FERRARO FRIBA
NW3