Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, has written to the Chief Executive of Notting Hill Genesis, Kate Davies, to demand urgent answers over their widespread failings to comply with fire safety regulations at Sangster Court, in Rayleigh.
Mark had previously been contacted by residents of Sangster Court, a sheltered housing unit managed by Notting Hill Genesis Association (NHG), over their serious concerns about the lack of fire safety in the complex. Subsequently, Mark Francois MP wrote to Mr Roger Hirst, The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, to request an urgent Fire Safety Inspection of Sangster Court by the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS.)
An inspection was accordingly carried out by the ECFRS, and a subsequent detailed report was issued. The report formally “identified a catalogue of areas” where the building has failed to comply with the appropriate fire safety requirements. This included a failure to sufficiently maintain fire alarms within the complex, inadequately lit emergency routes, and that no fire risk assessment was available.
As a consequence, Notting Hill Genesis will now be legally required to comply with all the recommendations from the inspection. Commenting on the outcome of the failed fire safety inspection, Mark Francois MP said “The safety of my constituents is of paramount importance. I was therefore extremely concerned to read of the serious failings of Notting Hill Genesis to provide appropriate fire safety for the residents of Sangster Court.
I have consequently written to the CEO of Notting Hill Genesis requesting their written assurances about how these very important matters are going to be addressed, as a matter of urgency. I must also express my thanks to Mr Roger Hirst, the PFCC for Essex for his diligence regarding these, very important matters, alongside Cllr Cheryl Roe, the Deputy Leader of Rochford District Council and local Ward Councillor, who has accompanied me on previous visits to Sangster Court.
