Yesterday morning, 17th July, Cllr Kris Brown, our housing spokesperson and I met with senior officials of the council to discuss events leading up to the problems in Fox Street and other part completed developments throughout the City.
We received a full briefing which contains information that we cannot make public for a number of technical and legal reasons connected with ongoing court cases and enquiries. As a result of this we are satisfied that the Council is doing all that it can within current laws to deal with both Fox Street and the other developments.
We noted that the Council is currently defending its position in court regarding Fox Street and that it is ready to take immediate action to deal with the situation there should the court rule in the Council’s favour.
We also note and approve of the actions taken to date including the provision of fire marshals to ensure the safety of residents and former residents.
We noted other actions with regard to the other developments that will become public in due course.
We believe that the Council needs to work with other Councils through the Local Government Association to look at issues which relate to self-certification of development by ‘in-house’ or retained surveyors and an enhanced set of powers to enable councils to take earlier action when there is a clear breach of planning or building control agreements and regulations.
Because of the legal complexities with the range of issues in Fox Street and the other 11 incomplete properties in the City neither Cllr Brown or I will add to this statement.
Cllr Richard Kemp CBE,
Leader, Liverpool Liberal Democrats
