Perthshire North MSP, John Swinney, has welcomed reassurances from Perth and Kinross Council that external wall insulation on properties throughout the Perth and Kinross area is fire retardant.

Following the catastrophic fire that engulfed Grenfell Tower in London, Mr Swinney made early contact with the local authority to seek confirmation that residents in Perth and Kinross would be provided with fire and safety security. In response, the local authority confirmed that the type of cladding used on Grenfell Tower had not been used on any properties in the local authority area. Mr Swinney was also advised that residents of 6 multi-storey blocks that are overseen by the Council’s Housing service had been visited since the Grenfell disaster in order to discuss fire safety.

2,650 homeowners who recently benefitted from the installation of external wall insulation as part of the Energy Efficiency programme and the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland (HEEPS) will also be contacted by the local authority, in the near future, to assure them that the insulation used has been classified as either flame retardant – Class “0” or non-combustible.

Commenting on this, Mr Swinney said:

“The Grenfell Tower disaster was an absolute tragedy that resulted in a horrendous loss of life. It is important that lessons are learned, however in the meantime it is vital that residents throughout Perth and Kinross receive assurances that their properties are safe.

“I wrote to seek assurances from the Chief Executive of Perth and Kinross Council in relation to the fire safety of buildings throughout this area. I am very pleased to have received confirmation that the type of cladding used on Grenfell Tower has not been used on any properties in Perthshire North, and Perth and Kinross more widely. I also welcome the local authority’s swift action in seeking to make contact with residents of multi-storey properties and anywhere that has recently had external wall insulation fitted.”