Residents in council managed high-rise buildings are set to have a greater say in how their buildings are kept safe following a new report set to be agreed by Cabinet on 21 October.
The borough’s first building safety resident engagement strategy sets out how we intend to engage, inform and consult with residents in each of the borough’s 72 high-rise buildings above 18 metres high (or above seven storeys) about the safety of their home and building.
Cllr Jackie Smith, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Greenwich Builds and Estate Management, said:
"Resident safety is our top priority and we’ve listened extensively to residents in our high-rises and developed a final strategy that reflects their views, preferences and feedback on how they would like us to engage with them. We’ve set out a clear framework, in partnership with residents, for how we want to improve transparency and ensure residents are empowered to raise concerns so they can contribute to the ongoing safety of their homes".
The strategy was developed following extensive consultation held in 2025 and earlier this year. Residents highlighted the importance of face-to-face engagement, clear communication, support for vulnerable residents, accessible information and greater transparency around decision-making.
One of the outcomes of that early engagement was the creation of a new High-Rise Resident Panel. The new panel is made up of 16 members from high-rise blocks across the borough and will meet several times a year to represent the views of other residents in high-rises.
Recruited earlier this year, our new Resident Safety Liaison Officers (RSLO) are a valuable addition to our housing services, monitoring and responding to fire safety issues across our housing blocks and estates. Between them the RSLOs manage four patches across the borough and, if agreed, will help to bring the resident engagement strategy to life by being the on-the-ground link between high-rise residents and our building and fire safety teams.
Residents can find out more, including how to get in touch with their RSLO, or how to join the High-Rise Resident Panel by emailing resident.safety@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.
Building or fire safety concerns can also be reported online.