Wandsworth Council wants to install sprinklers in all tower blocks of 10 or more storeys.

Before the Council begins, it is asking the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) who should pay for this in the case of Leasehold properties – the council or Leaseholders. Because the Conservative government won’t foot the bill, each Leaseholder could be presented with a bill in the region of £3,000 to £4,000

We support the installation of sprinklers for residents who want them, but we don’t think it’s fair that Leasehold residents will be forced to pay, or Tenants have them imposed, without the Council properly consulting them. We think residents should make their own decision on a block by block basis and want the Council to give priority to all other aspects of fire safety in Council managed homes.

We are calling on Wandsworth Council to conduct a meaningful consultation process so residents can make their own decision on a block by block basis about whether they want sprinklers.

Next Steps

There are a few ways you can have your say in this process:

1 – Reply to the Tribunal 

If you are a Leaseholder, you should have received a form to send back to the Tribunal by 7th September 2018. You are asked to tell the Judge if you 1) want to be involved in the proceedings and/or 2) you wish to attend a “case management hearing” which is scheduled for 27^th September 2018. If you are a Tenant you will not have received a letter – the FTT is only looking at who should pay.

Download the form here.

2 – Sign our petition 

We are calling on Wandsworth Council to conduct a meaningful consultation process so residents can make their own decision on a block by block basis about whether they want sprinklers. Click here to sign.

3 – Ask the tribunal for more time 

Labour Councillors are aware that many residents feel that they would like additional time in which to read the documents they have been sent and send back the reply form. For this reason, Wandsworth Labour has prepared a template letter which residents can use to request additional time from the Tribunal. The Tribunal may or may not decide to grant extra time, but it is worth asking if you believe that you require it.

Download the template letter and details of how to contact the Tribunal here
For help applying for more time, contact Cllr Claire Gilbert on cllr.c.gilbert@wandsworth.gov.uk

4 – Come to our public meeting

On Sunday 2nd September from 7pm to 9pm at the Alma Pub, 499 Old York Road, Wandsworth, SW18 1TF. All are welcome.

5 – Show the council you object to their plans 

And protest before the next Housing Committee Meeting at 6.30pm at Wandsworth Town Hall.