Grenfell survivors claim council ‘hasn’t changed’ since 2017, and ‘things have got worse’

By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter

A group of Grenfell Tower fire survivors and residents have claimed how they’re being treated by the council ‘hasn’t changed’ since 2017, with some even saying things have got worse, a public consultation has found. 

Residents, survivors and the bereaved have told Kensington and Chelsea council they still have concerns about fire safety issues in their homes, but feel ignored.

The feedback comes as the west London council runs a number of public consultations to allow the public to comment on its response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry findings from earlier this year. 

The council has run a number of drop-in sessions and public meetings since September and also heard from staff and councillors.

Council Leader Elizabeth Campbell said the local authority accepted the inquiry’s findings and is working towards implementing changes and has apologised. 

But, according to a report on the consultations, residents feel that change has been too slow and accuse the council of failing to fundamentally change its culture to include greater empathy and humanity.

Residents have also said they’re concerned about the lack of diversity in the council’s leadership and senior management team and the treatment of vulnerable residents and non-English speakers. 

Bereaved, survivors and residents claim they struggle to escalate key concerns to more senior members of staff and have raised concerns about what they say is a high staff turnover and a lack of communication between teams. 

They also feel the onus is on them to report issues and that there is a lack of proactive checking and monitoring done by the council.

According to the report at a full council meeting last month, 10 bereaved, survivors and residents accused the council of not treating them with respect and dignity and claimed a culture of ‘indifference, arrogance and paternalism’ persisted. 

Meanwhile, staff said the council needed further investment in social housing and to provide ‘person-centred services’. They want to ensure staff are properly trained and said the council should recruit more local residents into roles.

The Grenfell Tower Fire Inquiry Phase 2 Report made 58 recommendations for consideration and adoption and found the council ‘bears considerable responsibility’ for the dangerous condition of the tower.

The recommendations covered a number of topics including changes to regulations, guidance and certification of products and strengthening professional requirements for key roles, the operation of building control, along with civil contingency and emergency planning arrangements. 

According to the report, the council said it will ‘look for opportunities to take prompt action to address the Inquiry’s recommendations, including where it is possible to make changes in advance of changes to regulations and guidance’.

The council’s final response is expected to be published at the end of November and include progress made against the recommendations and Phases 1 and 2 of the report. 

Kensington and Chelsea council said it has since brought housing management services back in-house since 2018 and dedicated a building safety manager to all 34 of its high-rise buildings.

The council said it carries out annual checks on all flat entrance doors above 11m and set aside £374million for safety improvements. 

Grenfell Tower fire victims will also receive £42million in direct payments and wellbeing support until 2028.

Pictured top: A general view of the Grenfell tower in June 2024 (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga)