ROYAL TREATMENT (@PrivateEyeNews Magazine in all newsagents now) Has the Royal Borough of Greenwich splashed taxpayers’ cash on a bid to silence a resident campaigning on building safety? The Labour-controlled council’s external auditor, Forvis Mazars Group, is investigating the concerns of Steve Day, chair of the Royal Artillery Quays (RAQ) residents association, that Greenwich may have used public money for legal advice to suppress democratic criticism, and that this is unlawful. Residents have campaigned for years over fire-risk defects and dangerous cladding (Eye 1536) in the eight-block complex built in 2002 by Baratt Developments (now Barratt Redrow). Campaigners have urged Greenwich to support their claims that Barratt did not comply with building regulations during construction, arguing that although external cladding is being replaced, internal fire-safety defects also need fixing. Campaigners want Greenwich to support their demands for more comprehensive works, although it is not responsible for RAQ. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR), created after 2017’s Grenfell Tower fire, regulates building safety and developers deliver remediation work. Barratt started works last year after BSR approval, stating its commitment to remediating fire-safety issues identified in construction, without cost to leaseholders. Day’s request for an audit investigation was triggered by Greenwich sending him two formal warnings about his communication approach. The council suggested his correspondence was unreasonable and persistent and it may act to restrict his contact with officers and individual councillors. Meanwhile, Day and his fellow campaigners have high-profile support. Stephanie Barwise KC, who represented a group of victims in the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, criticised Greenwich in a social media post entitled “The Case for Candour: A local authority in denial about life threatening fire safety defects”. The Grenfell Tower Trust, which supports those affected by the fire, has demanded Greenwich “do the right thing” and listen to residents. The Earl of Lytton, chartered surveyor and Chartered Association of Building Engineers patron, posted to ask why “is a London Borough so keen to deny facts about a modern higher risk residential development?” Councils do not usually comment on ongoing investigations. A Greenwich spokesperson said everyone “deserves a safe, secure place to live” and reiterated that Barratt is responsible for BSR-approved remediation works. Greenwich added that it is aware of concerns, having continued to engage with “all relevant parties, including residents” and cannot comment on individual cases but highlighted its “persistent unreasonable complaints” policy published on its website. That’s the same website that outlines council staff values, promising that Greenwich “listens and learns from residents to improve results” and “prioritises residents’ needs over the Council’s convenience”. @MrOkereke @JJamiecarswell @David_Llew @tom_creswell_ @Cllrjfahy @abenaopp @mtpennycook @GideonJAmos @andyburnham