Setbacks for building fire safety works

Major safety works across a city's council homes are facing staff shortages, unexpected repairs and delays, according to a new report.

Portsmouth City Council is carrying out a major programme of building works across its housing stock.

A report to Darren Sanders, the council's cabinet member for housing and tackling homelessness, sets out progress on fire safety work across high-rise, mid-rise and low-rise blocks.

The programme aims to deliver works such as fire doors and sprinkler systems following a regulatory judgement issued in January 2025.

The council is still aiming to complete the work by the end of 2030, although several projects are facing delays.

The report also updates plans for the Tipton House, Edgbaston House, Barkis House and Nickleby House blocks, which are to be demolished.

The council agreed in August to move residents out of them permanently over a four-year period.

Of the 92 households needing visits from the council's housing team, 85 have now been visited. Nine households have already received offers of another permanent home.

Investigations into high-rise blocks have found more work is needed to open up hidden areas of buildings, such as service cupboards and pipes, to check their condition.

These inspections have found further fire safety work is needed, as well as problems with some water pipes and other services nearing the end of their useful life.

Getting approval from the Building Safety Regulator has taken longer than expected, with the average wait at 33 weeks.

The council has also experienced lengthy waits. Approval for work at Westminster House took 30 weeks, while the application for Wingfield Street took 28 weeks.

Staff shortages have also affected progress.

Three senior building surveyors left the council's housing revenue account projects team during the first part of 2026 which left fewer experienced staff while the amount of work was increasing.

Other members of the team had to take on extra responsibilities.

It is expected to be back to full strength by the end of November, provided new employees start as planned.

Delays in appointing contractors have pushed back the new high-rise works framework. It has moved from October to January 2027 after bids required further work.

Sanders said the delays at the Building Safety Regulator "scare me witless and I think are a significant and present danger to us meeting the deadline".

He called the 33-week delay "not ideal".

A further report will set out updated timescales, the expected total cost, and how the work will be paid for.