Further fear of Grenfell stitch-up as new taskforce as based in council office
A vigil near Grenfell Tower in London [Image: Victoria Jones/PA].
They’re right to fear a stitch-up.
But these are people who have been vigilant all the way down the line since the fire, back in June.
Let’s hope they stand strong, and get the result they need.
Residents of the estate surrounding Grenfell Tower have condemned the decision to base the the newly appointed recovery taskforce in the offices of Kensington and Chelsea council, warning this undermines the impartiality of the team.
Members of the Lancaster West residents’ association say they were told that the recovery taskforce, as well as being responsible for returning powers from the multi-agency Grenfell fire response team back to the council, would scrutinise council structures and processes.
The government set up the Grenfell fire response team in the wake of the disaster, after Kensington and Chelsea council was severely criticised for its inadequate response.
“We insist that for people appointed to be independent, or allowed to be truly independent, the taskforce should not be located in Kensington Town Hall,” said Andrea Newton, vice-chair of the Lancaster West residents’ association.
Newton said office space near the tower was available and could be used by the team.
Source: Grenfell residents condemn basing of new taskforce in council office | UK news | The Guardian
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Home office checking out loop holes
There might be some logic in investigators going through council documents and bieng based in the council offices but not in those helping residents of the fire
We have a large TMO office building and council offices much closer to Grenfell & the community that is affected. Basing themselves in the town hall & Ken High Street area is inside the community that created the problems leading to the fire. We need an independent panel, chaired by our local MP, with a Grenfell Action Group rep, and a handful of locals with most knowledge, and an advisory group of experts in fire, aspects of law, architecture, etc.. Anything else WILL be a stitch up, as is the current ‘inquiry’.. Terms of reference can be changed at will by the PM, so it’s all a sideshow while the whitewashing is prepared.
It sounds like the council are actually using the cheapest option, after all they own the town hall buildings to rent from a private supplier would cost more. The conspiracy theorists will be loving coming up with this one.
If “cheap” also suggests “corrupt” then it was the wrong choice. Remember, this council is sitting on nearly £300 million in reserves and can well afford a few thousand in rent to avoid such allegations.
Baroness Jane Scott, Tory leader of Wiltshire Council has been appointed to the Task Force! She is a typical Tory, who is despised by many of us living in Wiltshire. Doesn’t care about the sick, disabled and elderly and I am sure will have little empathy with the victims of Grenfell Tower!