Cladding specification on the Grenfell Tower was changed from an original zinc product with a fire retardant core to an aluminium alternative with a polyethylene core, documents have shown.
The documents, obtained by the BBC, reveal councillors were keen to change the original specification of the building, in order to make cost-savings, it is claimed.
Council meetings from 2014 also revealed the local authority was concerned about the project staying within budget.
A post-tender amendments document, sent to the contractor in July 2014, outlined potential savings of £693,161, to bring down the overall cost of the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower from £9.2m to £8.5m.
In lieu
This sum included nearly £300,000 by switching to ‘cassette fix aluminium cladding in lieu of zinc cladding’.
Although both the zinc and aluminium products have the same official fire rating, earlier planning documents reveal that the original plan was for zinc cladding with a fire-retardant core.
But there is no evidence the council was aware the re-specification would intentionally reduce fire safety or not meet regulatory requirements.
It is understood the earlier product specification is what residents of the tower block were told would be being installed for the refurbishment.
Council meeting
It comes as a private council meeting last night (29 June) was adjourned after a court order forced the session to be opened to the press and public.
But Nicholas Paget-Brown, the Conservative leader of the council, halted the meeting, claiming it would ‘prejudice’ the forthcoming public inquiry.
London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has called on senior councillors at Kensington and Chelsea council to resign, describing the disaster as the result of ‘years of neglect’.
Judge
Meanwhile, the judge appointed to the inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick said that he had ‘doubt’ over the scope of the investigation, and that it would not be as wide ranging as residents may wish it to be.
He said the inquiry will focus on the causes of the fire rather than deeper social and cultural elements.
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