Communities Secretary today announced a new
independent expert advisory panel to advise on any immediate
measures that can be put in place to make buildings safe
following the Grenfell Tower fire.
A separate independent Public Inquiry will investigate what
happened and who was responsible for the disaster. This expert
panel will look at any immediate action that is required so the
public can be confident everything possible is being done to make
all public and private buildings safe as quickly as possible.
The Panel will be made up of a range of building and fire safety
experts, and will be chaired by Sir Ken Knight, former London
Fire Commissioner and former Government Chief Fire and Rescue
Adviser.
Other core members of the panel will be Dr Peter Bonfield, Chief
Executive of the Building Research Establishment, Roy Wilsher,
Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council and Amanda Clack, EY
partner and President of the Royal Institution of Chartered
Surveyors. The panel have a wealth of experience in fire
and building safety, including testing processes. They will also
draw in wider technical expertise as necessary to inform their
advice to the Communities Secretary. It is intended that a first
meeting of the Panel will take place this week.
said:
“It’s absolutely right that there will be an independent public
inquiry to get to the truth about what happened and who was
responsible for the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
“However, I want to know if there are measures we can put in
place now to keep people safe and I want them done immediately. I
want the public to be confident everything possible is being
done.
“That is why I am announcing a new expert advisory panel to
advise Government on any immediate action that is required to
ensure all buildings are safe.”
Sir Ken Knight said:
“I thank the Secretary of State for appointing me to chair this
panel and welcome the opportunity to work with other experts to
ensure that our buildings are safe and that we take whatever
steps are necessary to ensure such a dreadful incident never
happens again.”
Dr Peter Bonfield said:
“It is important that the best expertise from across our
industry, the research communities, the professions and the
public sector is drawn out to support the government and society
at this critical time of need. I look forward to working with Sir
Ken and drawing in expertise which will help address the
challenges faced. I know that the will to positively contribute
from professional bodies and others is strong and we will deploy
this to support our work.”
