In the wake of the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower, Cheshire East Council has reviewed its own buildings stock and has contacted registered housing providers to seek their assurances that any of their high-rise properties meet strict fire regulations.
The Council has confirmed that no properties have been identified as having the type of cladding that has been implicated in the Grenfell Tower blaze, in Kensington which led to at least 79 deaths.
Council officers are also working closely alongside fire brigade officers during site visits to high-rise properties in Cheshire East. No sites of concern have been identified so far.
Councillor Rachel Bailey, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: "This council was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic events at Grenfell Tower in west London, and joins the nation in grieving for those who lost their lives. We also keep those who were injured, made homeless or otherwise affected by the fire, firmly in our thoughts.
"The council has acted swiftly to review its own properties, in order to reassure our local residents about the safety measures in place for similar buildings in Cheshire East."
Only one of the council's buildings is more than six storeys tall (18m) and none of the authority's high-rise buildings has external cladding. All council-owned buildings also have fire alarms fitted and fire drills are carried out regularly.
At this week's Annual General Meeting of Cheshire Fire Authority, members were briefed on Cheshire Fire and Service's response in the wake of Grenfell Tower fire.
Chair of Cheshire Fire Authority Cllr Bob Rudd said: "The Grenfell Tower blaze was a tragic and unprecedented fire which will have caused serious concern to anyone living in high rise buildings. I know I speak on behalf of all Cheshire Fire Authority members in praising Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service for their swift response to reassure residents in high rise buildings across Cheshire."
Operational crews, Prevention and Protection officers have completed precautionary reassurance visits at all the 21 high rise buildings in the county. Safe and Well visits have been offered to anyone living in such a building on request.
Councillor Bailey added: "The council has joint responsibilities with other agencies, such as the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, housing associations and owners/tenants, for ensuring that various measures and standards are in place to ensure all buildings in Cheshire East are built, occupied and maintained to the very latest safety standards.
"In 2013, following a notice of motion, this council resolved to lobby MPs to promote any change to the building regulations to consider including sprinkler systems within new or adapted buildings. Indeed, following the resolution, we installed sprinklers into our own Lincoln House property in Crewe and a programme of works is due to start in the next few weeks to install sprinklers into each unit at our homeless hostel in Macclesfield.
"I would add that this council supports the calls for a public enquiry into the tragedy at Grenfell Tower and the events that led to that horrific blaze and would welcome any changes to the fire safety codes, law, guidance, advice or practice that would result in improvements in fire safety in such buildings."
