SOUTHEND Council is to review a decision not install sprinklers in the town’s tower blocks following the Grenfell fire.

Council leader John Lamb issued an update on safety checks on the town’s 13 tower blocks in the wake of the devastating fire in west London which left 79 people dead.

Mr Lamb said: “Following the serious fire at Lakanal House in London in 2009, like all authorities, we reviewed and updated our fire safety procedures and the incident at the Balmoral estate in 2016 led to a further review of processes.

“Following this, and during subsequent public meetings, residents did ask whether sprinklers and fire alarms should be installed throughout the blocks. The clear advice from the fire service at the time was that they did not recommend such actions.”

Mr Lamb added: “Following the recent tragic events we are reviewing current fire risk assessments and fire audits, and will carry out a further tri-partite review of fire safety between the Council, South Essex Homes and Essex Fire and Rescue Service. This will involve inspections that will be taking place in the next month and all recommendations will be considered and acted upon as a matter of priority.

“The installation of sprinkler systems will form part of this review with the fire service and the outcomes subsequently communicated to residents.”

In relation to other high-rise buildings in the borough not owned by the council, Mr Lamb, said: “There are many other tower blocks in Southend that are not owned by the council. It is important that as the community leader we grasp this issue and coordinate any responses or actions that need to be taken.

“Whilst none of our own tower blocks have the type of cladding used on Grenfell Tower, our building control team are exhaustively searching records to ensure that we identify any other tower blocks that may have this cladding and can act accordingly with developers and building owners.”