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Cladding: Kent County Council reveals results of investigation into more than 100 buildings

Kent County Council says that there are no “red alerts” over fire risks at its buildings - including schools, offices and care homes.

The authority has been checking potential risks at several hundred buildings it has in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy in London.

County councillors were brought up to date with the findings at a meeting today.

The Grenfell Tower in flames. Picture: @Natalie_Oxford
The Grenfell Tower in flames. Picture: @Natalie_Oxford

A 25-strong team has, as part of the KCC investigation, been testing cladding material at buildings on 155 sites.

Council chiefs say that of those that have been tested so far, none are clad in material that poses a risk. These include schools and some office buildings.

Karen Ripley, who is heading the council’s operation, said: “As yet, we have not discovered any of the material containing aluminium.”

The use of aluminium panels has become a key issue in the inquiry into the Grenfell tragedy.

KCC also says that of the buildings it has examined, all have up to date fire risk assessments but that in a small number, remedial work that was identified as being needed had not yet been done.

Cllr Eric Hotson, cabinet member for corporate services, told county councillors that everything was being done to ensure that buildings the council either owned or leased were safe.

“This has been an extraordinary wake-up call" - Cllr Peter Lake

“This is an on-going process and there will be further reports. At this moment of time, I can give an assurance that everything is being done and that there are no ‘red alerts.’”

A small number of schools who have been contacted by KCC have yet to respond concerning their fire risk assessments.

Cllr Peter Lake, the chairman of the council’s policy scrutiny committee, said: “This has been an extraordinary wake-up call and hopefully we can reassure people in our care that we are doing our utmost.”

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