THE Town Hall has written to the government demanding “urgent com­mitments” to funding for new fire safety require­ments after the Grenfell Tower investigations conclude.

In a letter to Secretary of State Sajid Javid, council housing chief Diarmaid Ward said he also wants further “clarity” on enforcement powers available to the council on private build­ing owners. The housing scrutiny committee, chaired by Councillor Mike O’Sullivan who also signed the letter, recom­mended sprinklers be retrofitted in all high-rise council housing, which in blocks six stories and above could cost between £43m and £97m.

A government spokes­man said: “We will consider financial flexibilities for councils who need to undertake essential fire safety work to make a building safe. We have not declined any such requests.”