Removing high-rise panels to cost £285k in Sandwell after Grenfell fire

Bosses were forced to take urgent action when the panels were found to pose a safety risk in the wake of the Grenfell fire.

But the move will be costly for the authority, which revealed new aluminium panels to be fitted to the flats would set it back £285,000.

The council said it would try to recoup the money from the Government.

The boards were removed from above windows on tower blocks in West Bromwich and Oldbury last month after the Grenfell disaster, in which up to 80 people died, led to widespread safety checks.

Although the panelling complied with building regulations, as a result of the test, council bosses took the decision to replace them with immediate effect.

Due to the urgency of the work, council chiefs said it had not been possible to put the job out to tender to get the cost down.

Work to install new panels at Astbury Court and Lawrence Court, in Brandhall, Oldbury, and Neale House and Macauley House, in West Bromwich, is expected to begin next month.

A council report said: "The first phase of the work to remove the existing panels was undertaken as an urgent action immediately after the issue was identified.

"Lovell Partnerships were chosen to undertake the works as they have successfully completed numerous similar refurbishments to high rise blocks on behalf of Sandwell Council and particularly the improvement works to some of these blocks.

"It has not been possible to invite tenders on this occasion due to the urgent nature of this work, ordering direct will enable the panels to be manufactured more quickly and locally."

Following the failed tests, housing chiefs sought to assure residents they were safe in their homes.

Several people living at Astbury Court, which is mainly home to elderly and disabled people, admitted they were concerned to see the panels being removed.