A PRIVATE block of flats which failed two government safety tests in the light of the Grenfell disaster is set to be taken over by the council, following an emergency meeting yesterday, Friday, October 6.

Slough Borough Council has said it does not believe the freeholder of Nova House in Buckingham Gardens, Slough 'has the capacity' to make it safe for its 200 residents, after Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding was found. It subsequently failed tests on June 29 and August 2, the latter which included an examination of the insulation in the building.

The council says it now plans to buy the block's freehold company, Ground Rents Estates 5 Limited (GRE5), thus gaining ownership of the building before delivering essential safety improvements to keep residents safe.

This is subject to detailed negotiations taking place next week, the council said, and comes after an urgent cabinet meeting called on Friday where councillors made a swift decision.

It is understood that the council does not have confidence in the company to deliver the improvements and as previously reported, GRE5 had said in September that the work would cost around £1 million – the bill of which the leaseholders would have to pick up. It said however that it would provide 'short term funding' and explore other revenue streams to help residents.

Leader of the council, Councillor Sohail Munawar, said: “We have been concerned about the fire safety at Nova House since the terrible tragedy at Grenfell Tower in June and have been closely monitoring the situation.

“Unfortunately it has now got to the stage where we feel, to protect the safety of the residents now and in the longer-term, we have to intervene directly and take over responsibility for Nova House.

“We know there is a great deal of work that needs to be done to Nova House to bring it up to the correct safety standards and we do not believe the current freeholder has the capacity to do what is needed for the residents.

“As Slough residents, our duty is to protect them and ensure their safety and this is what has driven this decision.”

Ongoing concerns about Nova House had prompted a private fire engine to be based in the car park 24-hours a day since September 27. It it still onsite and is being paid for by the council although the first two days were staffed by the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS).

Additionally the underground car park has been closed since September 22, due to fire safety concerns, and residents have been asked to park offsite.

The council however says is has given them the option of parking at nearby Herschel car park for free.

Councillor Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member for housing, said: “We have been in regular contact with the residents of Nova House and have already written to them today to explain our intentions.

“In the coming week, we will be undertaking site visits and surveys in preparation for taking over the freehold, so we can move swiftly when the transfer has been completed.

“Our aim is to improve the situation at Nova House for the residents and their safety remains at the forefront of our minds.”

GRE5 had revealed in September that the original cladding intended for the building in its specification had in fact not been used after all - and this would have passed safety checks.GRE5 was investigating how this may have happened during the construction of the six-storey building, which has 68 apartments and was changed from office use in 2015. The original building dates back to the 1980s.