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Grenfell Tower: Cladding 'changed to cheaper version' | Grenfell Tower: Cladding 'changed to cheaper version' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Cladding fitted to Grenfell Tower during its refurbishment was changed to a cheaper version, documents obtained by the BBC suggest. | Cladding fitted to Grenfell Tower during its refurbishment was changed to a cheaper version, documents obtained by the BBC suggest. |
Documents show the zinc cladding originally proposed was replaced with an aluminium type, which was less fire resistant, saving nearly £300,000. | |
The cladding is thought to have contributed to the spread of the fire that killed at least 80 people. | |
There is no suggestion a deliberate decision was made to cut fire safety. | There is no suggestion a deliberate decision was made to cut fire safety. |
It comes as Kensington and Chelsea council's first cabinet meeting since the disaster was adjourned after just 20 minutes on Thursday - after the council was forced by a court order to admit the press and public. | It comes as Kensington and Chelsea council's first cabinet meeting since the disaster was adjourned after just 20 minutes on Thursday - after the council was forced by a court order to admit the press and public. |
The council halted the meeting, claiming it would "prejudice" the forthcoming public inquiry. | The council halted the meeting, claiming it would "prejudice" the forthcoming public inquiry. |
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the council's decision "beggars belief". | London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the council's decision "beggars belief". |
The documents obtained by the BBC reveal contractors working for Kensington and Chelsea council were asked in 2014 to replace zinc cladding with a more economical aluminium version. | |
One document - a list of requested savings sent to contractors in July 2014 - details potential savings of £693,161, reducing the cost of the contract from about £9.2m to £8.5m. | |
It includes £293,368 that would be saved by fitting "aluminium cladding in lieu of zinc cladding". | |
The switch allowed for a change of colour, but the BBC has been told another key reason was to save money. | The switch allowed for a change of colour, but the BBC has been told another key reason was to save money. |
Documents seen by the Times newspaper, reportedly show that, days earlier, the local tenant management organisation had sent an "urgent nudge email" to project management consultants involved in the refurbishment. | |
It says the email urged them to provide "good costs" on cladding that could be shown to the councillor overseeing the work. | |
Earlier planning documents suggest the original plan was for zinc cladding with a fire-retardant core. | Earlier planning documents suggest the original plan was for zinc cladding with a fire-retardant core. |
Residents had also been told their new cladding would be made of zinc. Both types of cladding have the same official fire rating. | Residents had also been told their new cladding would be made of zinc. Both types of cladding have the same official fire rating. |
Police investigating the disaster have said the tower's cladding has subsequently failed safety tests. | Police investigating the disaster have said the tower's cladding has subsequently failed safety tests. |
The savings were part of an ongoing effort by the council and the local tenant management organisation to drive down the cost of the refurbishment. | |
A source close to one of the many companies involved in the project said the change was typical of constant pressure by councils to reduce the costs of building refurbishments. | A source close to one of the many companies involved in the project said the change was typical of constant pressure by councils to reduce the costs of building refurbishments. |
Council minutes from 2013 show dissatisfaction with the initially-preferred contractor for not keeping the scheme within budget. | Council minutes from 2013 show dissatisfaction with the initially-preferred contractor for not keeping the scheme within budget. |
Further bids were invited, and this led to the appointment of a different contractor in 2014 which was then asked to make savings including on the cladding. | Further bids were invited, and this led to the appointment of a different contractor in 2014 which was then asked to make savings including on the cladding. |
Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council has promised to co-operate fully with all investigations into the fire. |