Government sends ‘Recovery Taskforce’ into Kensington and Chelsea

The Government is to send an independent “Recovery Taskforce” into the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea following the Grenfell Tower fire.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The scale of the recovery effort needed on the Lancaster West estate in the months to come cannot be underestimated. Support to survivors, the families and friends of those who lost their lives and residents in the wider community must and will be ongoing. The challenge of providing that support is and will continue to be significant. I want to help the council meet that challenge.

“The immediate response to the disaster is being coordinated by the Grenfell Response Team, headed up by John Barradell. He is ably supported by a number of colleagues drawn from London councils, the wider local government sector including the RBKC, the voluntary sector, police, health and fire services as well as central government. Their expertise and hard work is making a huge difference.

“As well as providing that immediate support, we must have an eye to the future. This intervention is putting in place the foundations that will support the longer term recovery.”

Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, the new Leader of the Royal Borough, said: “We have a lot of very dedicated council staff working to provide help and support to those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. But the unprecedented scale of this incident makes it impossible for one organisation to cope on its own.

“That’s why my first action as leader was to ask DCLG for help, and I’m delighted they have been so swift to respond. I look forward to working with their staff as we all concentrate our efforts on healing the wounds in the north of our borough and to regain the trust of a community traumatised by disaster.”

Further information and details of who will be a part of this taskforce will be announced within the following few weeks, the DCLG said.