A company involved in high rise residential development has been fined £240,000 following the failure to carry out fire safety improvements that were required by the Birmingham City Council.
The company, Avamore Limited was responsible for Solihul Heights and failed to comply with a notice about improvement issued by the city council. This notice urged the installation of a fire detection system across the building’s 3 tower blocks. This fire detection system was designed to provide building residents with an early warning in case of a fire on the external walls of the buildings.
At the Birmingham Magistrates Court, the company plead guilty following the failure to comply with this notice. The sentencing took place on 16th October and an original £360,000 fine was reduced to only £240,000 because the company pled an early guilty plea.
Avamore Limited was ordered to pay prosecution costs and £2000 victim surcharge.
This latest prosecution is apart of the Birmingham City Council’s latest work to make high rise homes safer. 26 further developments are in place with dedicated specialist officers who continue to investigate fire safety concerns across Birmingham.
The cabinet member for City Services and Digital Councillor Harris Khaliq said,
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home. Residents should never be left worrying whether building owners are taking fire safety seriously or acting when risks are identified.”
“This case sends a clear message. If landlords, developers or building owners ignore legal notices designed to protect residents, Birmingham City Council will take action and hold them to account.”
For more information please visit: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/news/article/1852/company_fined_240000_after_failing_to_improve_fire_safety_for_residents
