Hundreds of overdue fire safety actions at Darlington flats

A total of 151 fire safety actions were overdue as of March 31, 2026 including one classed as an urgent priority.

The urgent action has since been completed, while five short-term actions and 145 medium-term actions were being resolved, according to a report to Darlington’s Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee.

All 67 fire risk assessments due for blocks of flats during 2025-26 were completed within the required timescale, the council confirmed. 

Fire risk assessments cover 199 blocks of flats and operate on a three-year cycle.

Fire doors

The report also highlighted progress on a three-year programme to replace fire doors in communal areas.

A total of 842 doors require replacement, with 560 completed by the end of March 2026 – 66.5 per cent of the programme.

The council said the work was on track to be completed by 31 March 2027.

However, only 175 of 336 fire doors due for their annual inspection during 2025-26 had been checked – 52.1 per cent.

The report said staffing resources and problems accessing properties had affected performance. It added that compliance had since improved to 85 per cent, with the council expecting to achieve full compliance during 2026-27.

Awaab’s Law

The report also examined the council’s response to Awaab’s Law, which came into force on 27 October 2025.

Between October 2025 and March 2026, 2,714 emergency hazards were reported. Damp and mould accounted for 1.69 per cent of those cases, with most emergency hazards relating to heating and electrical problems.

By March 31, 86.79 per cent of emergency hazards had been resolved within 24 hours, while 81 cases were recorded as overdue. A further 856 significant hazards were reported, with 94.39% resolved within the required timescale.

The council said it had strengthened its processes and IT systems to ensure emergency hazards were identified, responded to and monitored appropriately.

Stock condition

The report said 4,138 council properties had undergone a stock condition survey within the previous five years, representing 77.8 per cent compliance.

There were 962 outstanding surveys that had been scheduled for completion during 2026-27.

The council said it had “well-established and robust processes” for monitoring health and safety compliance, with checks carried out quarterly and areas of non-compliance addressed as a priority.