Plans have been drawn up to spend £9.6million over the next three years to improve fire safety in council homes in the town.

Next Tuesday, Ipswich Borough Council's executive committee will be asked to discuss the proposals.

These improvements are a result of the new fire safety regulations put in place by the central government in 2021 and 2022 following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

This money is being spent after the new regulations were set in place following the Grenfell Tower tradegy.This money is being spent after the new regulations were set in place following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. (Image: Steve Parsons/PA) The borough council had contracted an environment consultancy firm Ridge, to survey council homes and see what improvements they might need. 

The survey has found improvements can include changes to fire alarms, fire doors, smoke controls, ventilation systems and wayfinding signage, along with the installation of sprinklers. 

As a result, the council has drawn up plans to spend £9.6m over the next three years to make this possible. 

Of this, the bulk of £6m will be spent in 2025/26, as they aim for the next financial year to be spent looking for a contractor and drawing up the design of the plans. 

The work will be done in two phases, which will look into 19 developments across the town. 

Works will be done on council homes only like Cumberland Towers and Broke Hall House, and not on other towers that may have had cladding or other fire safety issues. 

Cllr Ross will be presenting these papers to the council.Cllr Ross will be presenting these papers to the council. (Image: Newsquest)

The portfolio holder for housing at the borough council, Cllr Alasdair Ross will be presenting the papers to the rest of the committee next Tuesday. 

He said: "The money is being spent towards ensuring all our homes are safe for our tenants, and that all adhere to the latest safety standards, that have changed since the tragic fire at Grenfell."

The budget for this is under the current general fund capital programme of the council, which is unaffected by the recently announced cuts. 

A pre-meeting report states: "The works will ensure homes meet all Fire Regulation responsibilities and demonstrate the proactive nature the council has taken to undertaking remedial works to sites in response to legislative changes in a comprehensive, times and pragmatic way."