The Building Safety Tenant Group (BSTG) Terms of Reference

Purpose

To equip residents with the skills and knowledge to participate, influence & challenge building health and safety policies and practices to ensure legal compliance and residents’ safety.

Group to review

• Fire Risk Assessments, city wide overview. The overview provides a summary of the key issues identified in the city by the Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs). This overview details recommendations and outstanding actions. (Flats).
• Water Quality Assessments. Summary of city wide water test results on flats.
• Gas Safety Tests. Summary of city wide gas servicing activity on properties with gas appliances.
• Results of checks on electrics in communal areas. (Required to be undertaken every 5 years).
• Results of electrical checks on all properties. (Required every 10 years).

This is not a forum to raise personal issues unless this issue affects a large number of tenants in the city

Meetings

To be held every 3 months.

Membership

2 members from Tenants resources group, Tenants repairs panel, Tenant scrutiny panel, Tenant Inspectors, 1 rep from Supported Housing Forum and a Tenants’ association – and further 5 places to be available to any tenant interested in building safety.

The group will welcome new members from high rise building (over 18 meters or 7 stories)

Role of members

To undertake training in Building Safety and compliance

Participate in meetings and contribute to discussions

Raise concerns or questions at meetings on behalf of residents at large or specific communities

Share information with other residents to help increase health and safety knowledge and awareness

To positively influence, challenge and champion future policy and strategy regarding building safety

To monitor health & safety property compliance in relation to areas such as fire, asbestos, electrics, gas, lifts, water etc.

Management and coordination of meetings

Building Safety Managers and The Fire Safety lead and will act as lead officers for the group to guide the direction of the group and to co-ordinate meetings.

Support for meetings will be provided by the Tenant Participation and Engagement Team.

Equality and diversity

The group abides by equal opportunities policies, as described in the Equality Act 2010. The act legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society, to ensure persons are not discriminated against based on the 9 protected characteristics which are; age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Members agreed to abide by the Tenant Engagement Code of Conduct

Training

To cover Fire Risk Assessments, Water quality assessments, Electrical assessments, role of the fire service.

Possible issues for the group to be involved in

Building Safety Tenant Engagement Strategy

Developing the role of tenant Building Safety Monitors

Review

The Terms of Reference and membership will be reviewed every two years (or earlier if there are any significant changes) by this group.

Last updated: June 2024.

Review date: June 2026.