Statement on cladding used for refurbishment and insulation on council properties.

Following the recent fire at Grenfell Tower, London, both the UK and Scottish Governments have issued directives to all social housing providers requiring them to carry out fire safety audits to any domestic buildings that are above 18m from ground level (i.e. 6 storeys and above) and/or where such buildings have been retro-fitted with rain-screen cladding.

In Moray, we have no domestic properties above 18m.The type of rain-screen cladding that was fitted at Grenfell Tower is not a product that we have used in any of our domestic properties.

In recent years, the Council has worked in partnership with SSE energy solutions to provide external wall insulation programmes to both private and council owned housing.These works are different to that carried out at Grenfell Tower and a statement that has been issued by SSE is attached below for information.

SSE Statement

SSE was greatly saddened by the news of the fire in London and our thoughts are with those affected. In light of the fire at Grenfell Tower, SSE’s Energy Solutions business has contacted its contractors and External Wall Insulation (EWI) system designers to reconfirm that all of the products installed are manufactured and certified to the appropriate safety standards. Also we are asking the same parties to reconfirm that the installations have been completed to the required safety standards.

SSE Energy Solutions works with Contractors and EWI system designers throughout all stages of a contract to ensure that appropriate products are installed in a safe and compliant manner.

Early indications are that it was a Rainscreen Cladding system installed at Grenfell Tower and not External Wall Insulation. SSE Energy Solutions has not carried out any projects using Rain Screen Cladding systems for any of its clients. We will work with our clients to provide the necessary reassurance to residents on the safety concerns raised as a consequence of the fire, and will continue to monitor the situation in London.

If any tenant or homeowner is concerned about fire safety in their home, they should contact their landlord to discuss their concerns or alternatively, they can get free advice from Fire Scotland.

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 95,510 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Headquartered in  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.