Agenda item

To answer any written questions from Councillors

Note:  The deadline for questions was 5pm on 11 April 2019 (the tenth clear working day before the meeting).

Two questions had been addressed to Committee Chairmen to which written answers had been provided and published.

Two supplementary questions were asked at the meeting and answers given by the relevant Committee Chairmen.

A question was addressed to the Chairman of Strategy and Resources Committee at the meeting under FCR 12.12 on the grounds that it related to an issue of importance that had come to light after the notice period for questions from Members of the Council (given in FCR 12.2). 

The question was put by Councillor John Beckett and a verbal response was given by Councillor Eber Kington, Chairman of Strategy & Resources as follows:

Question:

‘Will the Chairman of Strategy & Resources please update this Council on the action taken by the Council’s Emergency Planning Team following notification of the fire at Rembrandt Court’

Response:

‘Firstly, I would like to express our shared concern for the families living at Rembrandt Court who have been impacted so suddenly and terribly by the fire that raged through their homes on Saturday night.  We all know the risks associated with fires in residential premises, and therefore I know that we all share in the sense of relief that, on this occasion, everyone got out safely.  However, it must have still been a terrifying and deeply upsetting experience for those involved.  It will also inevitably take some time before the lives of these families can return to some kind of normality.  

I also want to pay tribute to the Emergency Services including the Fire, Ambulance and Police Service who did everything possible to deal with unfolding emergency and deal with the immediate risks to life and property.  The fact that there were 8 fire crews on the site, gives an indication of how serious the incident was. 

I would also like to thank the Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Officers who co-ordinated the Council’s response that evening and who also work hard to ensure that we are always ready to respond to any emergency.   This includes the Council’s Head of Policy, Performance and Governance, and the Council’s Emergency Planning Officer and the Head of Operational Services and two of his Patrol Rangers who attended at the scene in the role of Incident Liaison Officers and who ensured that everyone had somewhere safe to stay that night.  They also provided the Council’s eyes and ears on the ground so that the Council knew what was happening in case other action was needed.    The Head of Planning also ensured that professional expertise was available on site that night and in the early hours to assess the structural integrity of the buildings so that the Fire Service could access all parts of the building to prevent the fire getting hold again and to start their investigations.  In addition the Head of HR and OD and her Communications Officers who contributed to the Council’s wider communications.

Initial notification of the fire was through the Head of Operational Services from the Rangers who were on duty on Saturday. The Rangers then remained on scene during the evening. They liaised with the Fire Services and the occupants of the nearby houses. The early intervention and attendance of our officers was commended by the Area Commander from the Surrey Fire Rescue Service.

In line with the Council’s emergency plans, the Leadership Team were alerted through the cascade system. The Council’s Rangers were able to confirm that the church hall had opened to provide shelter while other arrangements were being made for the families.  The Council also checked if there were any vulnerable people affected who might need additional immediate support.

Please can I also take this opportunity to thank those local residents who came out on Saturday night to help, including those kind people from the local church who opened their church hall.  I’d also like to thank the Ward Councillors who also made themselves available and contributed to the solidarity of support.

Can I also thank the leadership of St John’s Church in Stoneleigh Park Road who found 8 to 10 volunteers who, along with the Minister provided refreshments, warmth and friendship to distressed residents.  In addition the Church allowed public donations of clothing, toiletries etc. to be handed into the Church Hall on Sunday morning.  

Finally can I thank the Stoneleigh Ward Councillors who also made themselves available and contributed to the support given to the families and who publicised the appeal for items to assist the families who lost many, if not most, of their possessions.  I know that their actions on the night and the day after have been greatly appreciated by those affected by the incident.

A supplementary question was also asked and responded to at the meeting.