Fire Safety Policy

Gateshead Council is the 'Responsible Person' for the purposes of all relevant legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 : Call for Evidence (July 2019), and summary of responses (March 2020) (opens new window), because the Council owns and manages homes and buildings where tenants and leaseholders live. The Council is also the RP for buildings that it owns and/or manages that fall within the scope of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 : Call for Evidence (July 2019), and summary of responses (March 2020) (opens new window).

The Cabinet has overall governance responsibility for ensuring this policy is fully implemented to ensure full compliance with legislation and regulatory standards. As such, the Cabinet will formally approve this policy and review it every two years (or sooner if there is a change in legislation or regulation).

For assurance that this policy is operating effectively in practice, the Cabinet will receive regular updates on its implementation, fire safety performance and non-compliance.

The Senior Management Team (SMT) will receive monthly performance reports in respect of fire safety and ensure compliance is being achieved. They will also be notified of any non-compliance issues identified. Out of date actions will be risk assessed and escalated where necessary.

The Strategic Director has strategic responsibility for the management of fire safety, and ensuring compliance is achieved and maintained. They will oversee the implementation of this policy.

The Service Director and Service Manager have operational responsibility for the management of fire safety and will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of these programmes.

It is a condition of the tenancy agreement that tenants must allow access for us to carry out works in their home.

Housing teams will provide support where gaining access to properties is difficult and will assist and facilitate the legal process, as necessary.