Freedom of information response

Your request | Our Response

1. Has the council commissioned any surveys for any of its buildings for RAAC since 01 January 2018, up to and including the day you process this request? Please answer only ‘yes’ or ‘no’. If you need to give any other context, please use the explanatory notes column of the table provided.

Yes within our Housing Service.

2. If the answer to  question 1 is yes, please give the dates any surveys were commissioned, the dates date completed or expected to be completed and the number of buildings surveyed. Whether the answer is yes or no, please outline what work is taking place to identify the presence of RAAC and prepare for its removal

The corporate asset team is taking steps to quickly complete inspections, identification and any subsequent  remediation works across assets in scope within their portfolio.

We are currently in the process of procuring external capabilities (building surveying and/or structural engineering consultants) in line with DfE guidelines to facilitate the surveys as soon as possible .

Our approach is to commission consultant who will have capabilities to both identify the presence of RAAC and prepare for its removal.

The broad overview of the scope of commission is set out below.

Phase 1

• Onsite survey/ inspections and identification of RAAC within asset list provided.
• Technical structural integrity evaluation, viability and safety decision calls where required.
• Provision of information in report format.

Phase 2

• Recommendation for remediation works where applicable (bespoke to site).
• Provision of specification/ scope of works for remediation ready to proceed to or for procurement of onsite construction phase.
• Provision of information in report format

Housing -

• Desktop review of assets to identify applicable archetypes that require inspection.
• Onsite survey/ inspections and identification of RAAC within asset list provided, undertake intrusive surveys where deemed necessary.

Above process commenced on the 31/08/2023, surveys are being conducted by Thurrock Council Surveyors in the first instance with the support of existing contracted partners. Structural consultants will be engaged as necessary if RAAC is identified. To date none has been found in the residential housing assets.  

3. Please give building types where RAAC is suspected and/or has been found and the date on which it was discovered. By building types I am asking for a general description of the purpose of the building, for example: council office, civic centre etc

Buildings under consideration which may be in scope are classified under the following general purpose/usage

Educational Use e.g. Children Centres and Youth Centres

Health Use e.g.  GP surgeries and health delivery partners

Recreational Use e.g.  Leisure centre and sports hall

Operational Use e.g.  Offices

Community Use e.g. Libraries and village Halls

Industrial/commercial Use

Retail Use e.g. Shops

4. If possible, please provide the address and postcode of any buildings referred to in your answer to question 3.

No specific address has been named as yet , still collating suspected buildings which may be in scope under  general categories.

5. For each building in your answer to question 3, please give details of any action taken or to be taken as a result of discovering RAAC.

N/A- Not surveyed as yet