Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Council’s ‘life-saving’ offer after mould fatality
THE tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak has prompted council bosses to seek a place on the board of the housing association involved.
A coroner concluded Awaab died from a respiratory condition caused by exposure to mould at his home.
His father raised the issue for three years but no action was taken before the toddler died in 2020.
Rochdale Boroughwide Housing’s chief executive was later sacked.
Now Rochdale borough council’s housing chief Cllr Danny Meredith has written to the organisation saying he and council leader Neil
Emmott want to help “deliver lifesaving improvements” and play a role in appointing an interim chief executive following the exit of Gareth Swarbrick. They also urge the current board to step down.
Awaab died after prolonged exposure to mould at his home on the Gtr Manchester town’s Freehold estate, which led to fatal breathing difficulties, an inquest found.
RBH has insisted the organisation “abhors racism”, and said: “The board will be responding directly to Cllr Meredith.”