The cladding materials used at the two blocks of flats at Sterte Court no longer meet the current building regulations. A number of fire safety measures have been put in place to ensure the on-going safety of residents.

A £38 million programme of work for Sterte Court in Poole to remove the old cladding system from the outside of the flats and to install new cladding will be considered by BCP councillors at Cabinet on 11 November. The report will then be referred to the Full Council meeting.

Cllr Robert Lawton, portfolio holder for Housing, said, “The ongoing safety of all residents living at Sterte Court is paramount and together with Poole Housing Partnership, we are working closely with residents to ensure fire safety measures are in place to continue to keep people safe. Our proposal means this work would start as quickly as possible with the new cladding fitted soon afterwards, mitigating the need for the current additional fire safety measures in place at Sterte Court.”

The contract would be awarded to United Living who are currently carrying out works to blocks of flats in Poole town. Work to remove the cladding could start as soon as January 2021.

If agreed, the council would continue to progress an application to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for funding.

All costs for the works will be covered with no charges made to leaseholders at the properties.

There have been a number of fire safety measures put in place at Sterte Court to ensure the ongoing safety of residents and to meet the current requirements of the latest Fire Risk Assessment.