Hackney Council £15.6M Fire Safety Contracts Hackney 2026

Key Points

• Hackney Council has awarded two contracts worth £7.8 million each to Frankham Risk Management and Airey Miller Ltd for a substantial fire safety review of high-rise and mid-rise blocks.
• Total consultancy fees of £15.6 million, spread over four years, fully funded by government grants under the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS).
• Initial £11 million deal agreed in July 2025; additional £4.4 million approved to accelerate procurement and meet government’s 2029 deadline for fire safety works.
• Review prompted by post-Grenfell changes to building safety regulations targeting buildings with potentially combustible materials in cladding, insulation, balconies, brickwork, and other areas.
• Following 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, Hackney Council confirmed none of its buildings contained the same flammable Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding used at Grenfell.
• Council has already removed cladding from high-rise buildings across four estates to align with updated standards.
• Hackney Council made pledges post-Grenfell to improve fire safety across its housing estates.

Hackney (East London Times) – April 25, 2026 –

Why Has Hackney Council Spent £15.6 Million on Fire Safety Consultants?

Hackney Council is set to pay consultants more than £15 million to assess the scale of fire hazards in buildings across its housing estates. On Monday, the council awarded two £7.8 million contracts to Frankham Risk Management and Airey Miller Ltd to conduct a substantial fire safety review of high-rise and mid-rise blocks throughout the borough. The consultancy fees, spread over four years, will be entirely funded by government grants under the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS).

A £11 million deal was first agreed in July 2025, but the council has now committed an extra £4.4 million to speed up procurement, enabling it to meet the government’s strict timeline to secure grant funding for necessary fire safety works by 2029. As reported in the Evening Standard coverage on Hackney Council’s fire safety initiatives, these changes stem from updated building safety regulations requiring local authorities to perform new inspections on buildings, particularly those built or refurbished with potentially combustible materials in their cladding, insulation, balconies, brickwork, and other areas.

What Triggered Hackney Council’s Fire Safety Pledges After Grenfell?

The 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy prompted Hackney Council to make several pledges to improve fire safety across its housing estates. Following the disaster, the council reported that none of its buildings had the same flammable Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) used in Grenfell Tower. Despite this, it has removed cladding from high-rise buildings across four estates to comply with evolving fire safety standards.

These actions align with broader UK government responses to Grenfell, which introduced regulations targeting high-rise blocks over 18 metres or seven storeys, mandating fire-resistant materials, fire doors, and compartmentation measures. Hackney’s review covers high-rise and mid-rise blocks, reflecting the scope of post-Grenfell scrutiny on potentially combustible external wall systems.

Who Are the Consultants Awarded the £15.6 Million Contracts?

Frankham Risk Management and Airey Miller Ltd have each received £7.8 million contracts from Hackney Council. The firms will undertake the fire safety review, identifying hazards in line with the Cladding Safety Scheme requirements. No specific statements from representatives of Frankham Risk Management or Airey Miller Ltd were detailed in the Evening Standard report, but the contracts were awarded on Monday to ensure timely delivery.

The decision to split the work between two consultancies underscores the scale of the task across Hackney’s housing estates. Funding remains fully government-backed, avoiding direct burden on local taxpayers.

How Does This Relate to the 2017 Grenfell Disaster?

The Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 exposed systemic issues with flammable ACM cladding, leading to nationwide remediation efforts. Hackney Council confirmed early on that its buildings lacked this exact material, yet proactive cladding removal occurred on four estates. The current £15.6 million investment builds on those efforts, driven by expanded regulations banning combustible materials in external walls of buildings over 18 metres.

Government data as of early 2026 shows ongoing remediation, with thousands of buildings over 11 metres identified for unsafe cladding checks. Hackney’s accelerated spending ensures compliance with the 2029 deadline for high-rise remediation under the Remediation Acceleration Policy.

What Changes Have Occurred in UK Building Safety Regulations Post-Grenfell?

Post-Grenfell, the UK implemented the Building Safety Act, establishing the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and a Gateways process for higher-risk buildings. Regulations effective from October 2023 to April 2024 require fire alarms in all flats, fire-resistant materials, and enhanced compartmentation in high-rise residential blocks.

Local authorities like Hackney must now inspect for combustible materials beyond cladding, including insulation and balconies. The ban on such materials in external walls was reviewed and extended, clarifying compliance for designers and installers. By February 2026, 97% of identified ACM-clad high-rise buildings had started or completed remediation.

Which Hackney Estates Have Undergone Cladding Removal?

Hackney Council has removed cladding from high-rise buildings across four unnamed estates to meet updated standards. The Evening Standard report does not specify the estates, but the action followed initial post-Grenfell assessments confirming no ACM presence. This work predates the current consultancy contracts, positioning Hackney ahead in some remediation areas.

The new review will extend to mid-rise blocks and additional potential hazards, funded via CSS grants. An additional 1,200 social sector buildings, including council housing, have applied to the scheme as of January 2026.

Why the Extra £4.4 Million to Speed Up Procurement?

The initial £11 million agreement in July 2025 was expanded by £4.4 million to expedite the process. This ensures Hackney secures CSS funding for works by 2029, as mandated for buildings over 18 metres. Delays could risk grant forfeiture amid government pressure on remediation timelines.

The four-year contract duration aligns with remediation deadlines, with 11-18 metre buildings targeted by 2031. Failure to comply carries potential criminal liability, including unlimited fines.

Background of the Development

Hackney Council’s fire safety efforts trace back to the immediate aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire on June 14, 2017, which killed 72 people and highlighted cladding risks. The council swiftly assessed its stock, ruling out ACM and initiating removals on four estates. Pledges for estate-wide improvements followed, supported by the Building Safety Programme.

The Cladding Safety Scheme, part of MHCLG remediation efforts, has tracked progress monthly; by early 2026, over 4,000 buildings over 11 metres were in remediation, with social housing like Hackney’s prioritised. Contracts with Frankham Risk Management and Airey Miller Ltd formalise this ongoing commitment, fully grant-funded to meet 2029 deadlines.

Prediction: Impact on Hackney Residents

This development requires Hackney residents in council housing estates to anticipate potential disruptions from inspections and remediation works through 2029. High-rise and mid-rise tenants may face temporary access restrictions or relocations during hazard mitigation, though government funding shields them from direct costs.

Delays in neighbouring boroughs highlight risks; timely completion could enhance resident safety and property values, while procurement acceleration minimises grant loss exposure. For the 4,310+ buildings nationally under similar schemes, Hackney’s model may set a compliance benchmark, indirectly benefiting estate communities via faster hazard resolution.