Grenfell survivors welcome rethink on management body's future
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Version 3 of 6. Grenfell Tower survivors are claiming a victory after it was announced that plans to disband the Kensington and Chelsea tenant management organisation, the body responsible for the building, are to be put on hold. It had been proposed that the TMO would be disbanded at its annual meeting on Tuesday evening and that Kensington & Chelsea council would become its sole member. Survivors of the fire and other local residents feared the move would allow officials to avoid possible corporate manslaughter charges and civil litigation. Scotland Yard has said there are “reasonable grounds” to suspect the TMO and the council of corporate manslaughter over the fire in June, in which about 80 people died. Although the residents want the TMO to be dismantled eventually, they do not want it to happen before its officials have faced scrutiny in a public inquiry into the fire. Survivors’ legal representatives at Bindmans and Bhatt Murphy solicitors wrote to the council and the TMO calling for any moves to disband the latter to be postponed until more information was available. One letter stated: “On the basis of the currently available information, there are very serious concerns among all those affected, including our clients and the wider community, about both the procedure that has been adopted in relation to this AGM and what actions RBKC [the council] might take if it was to become the sole member of the TMO. “Crucially, all of these matters could prevent or undermine the TMO being held accountable in relation to the fire and prevent or undermine the search for the truth through all available legal avenues.” Gordon Futter, a local resident, welcomed the U-turn. He said: “This is quite an extraordinary development. It’s the first time in 20 years we’ve had a victory over the TMO. It’s because now they are being scrutinised by the whole world.” He said residents wanted to ensure both that they were included in future plans to shape the management of their homes and that TMO officials could be held to account at the public inquiry and in any lawsuits. It is understood the TMO is postponing discussion on the issue for 21 days. A spokesman for the TMO said: “The board of Kensington & Chelsea tenant management organisation will be recommending to the annual general meeting tonight that it is adjourned. This is in recognition of significant feedback that has been received by KCTMO.” Paul Ridge, of Bindmans solicitors, said: “An adjournment is welcome and something we’ve been seeking. We want the council to alter its position and explain why it is seeking to end the TMO in this way and we want everyone to look for some solutions to this.” The Grenfell Action Group has launched a campaign, Save The TMO, to prevent the management organisation from being disbanded. Kim Taylor-Smith, deputy leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said: “We are disappointed that the KCTMO has decided to adjourn the AGM. We have spoken to many residents, and they want certainty over the future of housing stock in the borough. Everyone agrees there is no future role for the TMO. “But let’s be clear. If the KCTMO had voted the council in as the majority shareholder tonight, we would have secured three things. “Firstly, the TMO would continue, and therefore it would be accountable to both the police investigation and the public inquiry. We have guaranteed that. “We would be able to continue running the estates during an orderly transition period, ensuring simple things like repairs are carried out. “Most importantly, it would have allowed us to start a consultation with residents and communities so that they decide the future of housing in the borough. We want to give the power back – and we remain committed to that, no matter how long it takes.” |