Towers not in plans for emergencies

Maidstone Borough Council is unable to say if the flammable cladding used at Grenfell Tower is in use in the borough as it has “no duty to record this information.”

The authority also confirmed it does not have a list of all the tower blocks in the borough.

A spokesman added it will work with associations and ensure all properties comply with building regulations.

The authority, which does not own any tall buildings, is liaising with Golding Homes, West Kent Housing Association and all landlords which do, as Kent Fire and Rescue Service has brought forward annual safety briefings.

KFRS is urging residents living in high-rise buildings to make sure they know safety procedures but stressed tower block fires are extremely rare.

Asked about its emergency plan – which features no reference to tower blocks and only has half a page of guidance on what to do in the event of a fire – MBC said it is reviewed annually and is being scrutinised with the help of disaster planning team, Kent Resilience Forum.

A spokesman said the plan is “well-developed” having been compiled in the light of “good practice and the experience of major flooding,” adding that any authority faced with a disaster of Grenfell Tower’s scale would find it very challenging.