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Salford Council set to spend £25 million to make tower blocks safe
Salford City Council is to decide whether to make funds available for fire safety works to nine council-owned tower blocks in Pendleton.
A council meeting on 23 August will determine whether the council uses its borrowing powers to provide a temporary cash flow of up to £25 million to improve the safety of its tower blocks.
John Merry, Deputy City Mayor, said: “We will not allow the lack of immediate funding to become a barrier to undertaking further essential fire safety works on the Pendleton tower blocks.
“We are asking for a decision to provide temporary funding so that works can continue to replace the ACM cladding as quickly as possible. The City Mayor has made clear that the safety of residents is of paramount importance. So we’re now taking the necessary steps to ensure works are undertaken.
“Everything is being done in the best interest of our residents.
“The regeneration work has been carried out under a PFI contract and whilst the council is not accepting liability for the works, we do believe that it is crucial that legal disputes do not prevent essential works being carried out.”
Paul Dennett, City Mayor, said: “We are taking a lead in dealing with what is a national crisis. We have called on Government, as a city council and through the work of the Greater Manchester High Rise Taskforce, to financially support councils and housing associations so that they can respond swiftly to legitimate public concerns. Residents must be able to feel safe in their home, whatever their tenure.
“This is not an easy time for local authorities – government cuts have taken a severe toll on council budgets. This will be a strain on our resources but it is important that we respond effectively to address safety issues raised by the Grenfell Tower tragedy and we must do all in our power to ensure that a fire such as this never happens again.
“We are now awaiting the results of independent tests before we move ahead with a permanent replacement to the cladding.
“At the same time, partners are quantifying total costs by putting together a complete programme of works.”
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