(Image: Sir Martin Moore-Bick, chair of the Grenfell Tower public inquiry)
The public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower tragedy has received more than 267,000 documents to examine, as it prepares for its next set of hearings.
In an update published yesterday, the inquiry said the total number of documents could rise to 300,000 and that the next procedural hearings will be held on 21 and 22 March at Holborn Bars in London.
The update also showed the inquiry has received 521 applications to become core participants.
Of these, 495 applications were from survivors, the bereaved and residents in the surrounding areas, while the remaining 26 are from businesses and public sector bodies.
Evidence hearings
It has now started to write to the core participants, proposing that the hearings where they can give evidence could begin in May.
The inquiry has also commissioned a series of reports from experts, which it intends to make available to core participants by the end of next month.
The reports will examine the active and passive fire protection measures within the building and the extent to which they failed to control the spread of the fire.
Another will examine how the fire spread over the building’s external classing and another will consider the regulatory requirements in force over the lifetime of Grenfell Tower.
Community forum
The update also shows the inquiry is looking into establishing a community forum.
“This would be to both ensure that the inquiry remains fully informed of any concerns from the community and also to provide appropriate support to ensure the community’s continued participation in, and understanding of the inquiry’s work,” the update states.
Treatment
Last week SHP reported that health minister Jackie Doyle-Price had confirmed more than 400 adults are currently in treatment and 96 have completed their treatment for mental health issues following last year’s tragedy.
“We have committed £23.9 million of national government funds to address survivors’ needs, with additional expenditure on wider support,” said the minister.
“The autumn Budget committed a further £28 million to help support victims,” she added. “I can also assure her that I am in regular contact with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust to make sure that we are doing our bit to address this need.”
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