RESIDENTS of Poole's six high-rise buildings may face "tougher" measures in a bid to keep blocks safe from fire.

At a special meeting on Monday night, Su Spence, chief executive of the Poole Housing Partnership, told councillors and members of the public fire exits in the blocks must remain clear.

And she warned residents who fail to comply with fire safety measures will face eviction.

Following a question and answer session at the people overview and scrutiny committee (health and social care) meeting at the Civic Centre, councillors voted to establish a cross-party working party to scrutinise all aspects of fire safety in relation to the tower blocks.

It was heard at the meeting that none of the six high-rise blocks has a sprinkler system and there is only one staircase in each of the buildings.

"There's always a balance - people are living in their homes and it's about how you manage that," Ms Spence said.

"There's a lot of conversation from people who say, 'I can't get my pram up [to a flat], I want to leave it [in a common area]'.

"We have always tried to take a conciliatory approach to manage that.

"I don't think we will be quite as conciliatory going forward.

"Fire exits have to be kept clear."

She added: "I think we need to be a bit tougher on residents.

"There will be more complaints coming in - people will be unhappy, but we need to be clear on [things like] mobility scooters and what happens if you don't get those into a property."

Tenants who refuse to allow representatives from PHP to visit their flats as part of fire safety checks may be evicted.

"They are in breach of their tenancy [if that happens]," Ms Spence said.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the cladding added to Sterte Court Bay View and Sterte Court Sea View during a £7 million refurbishment in 2014 is not the same kind as used at London's Grenfell Tower and has been fire tested.

However, a sample of the cladding has been sent off for independent testing, and bosses at the PHP plan to conduct their own mock fire safety test.

Mike Harrison, director of technical services for the company, that the mock test will take place in the coming weeks.

"We are trying to set up with the fire service to set [the cladding] on fire," he said,

"Everything we do know about that cladding would suggest it is safe."

But he said there is a concern about insulation used.

"We do know that it burns," he said.

"We need to test it and we will test it as part of our mock-up."

The insulation has also been sent off for independent review, he said.

Representatives from the PHP have visited tenants. added fire safety updates to the company website and hosted a tenants' meeting in the wake of the Grenfell disaster.

In May 2014, a "large" fire caused by a cigarette took hold at a flat in Sterte Court. The tenant called 999 and the blaze, which caused £3,000-worth of damage, was dealt with without residents being notified or evacuated.

Ms Spence said fire doors will keep tenants safe for 60 minutes and all residents are advised to 'stay put' in the event of a fire, subject to review.

'I feel safe living here'

Residents of Poole’s tower blocks say they feel confident in fire safety measures taken following the Grenfell disaster.

Valerie Carter, who lives in one of the Sterte Close high-rises, said: “I’m satisfied with everything that’s been going on.

“I think a lot has happened to keep people living here safe.

“We’ve got standpipes on every floor.”

Paul Meritt, who also lives in the block, said he’d had concerns about fire safety since the London blaze.

Asked if he had noticed buggies and mobility scooters being left in corridors and public spaces, he said: “Yes, they can get in the way too.

“To be honest, safety is so important, and I don’t have a problem with [PHP] wanting things cleared out of the way.

“Obviously, the talk is about cladding. We’ve been told the cladding on our blocks is safe, but is it really safe or are they just saying it is?

“I’d say there is a bit of concern about that.”

Jack Palmer, who lives in a block in Lagland Street, said: “The thing I worry about is the sprinklers.

“We don’t have any here and that feels like a big risk if something does happen.

“We want some protection if something does go wrong.”

However, he said he feels safe living in the block, although buggies and bikes are often left in hallways.

“People do tend to leave their bikes and things like that,” he said.

“Things can be stored in people’s flats and bathrooms. Buggies fold away, but it’s a bit more difficult if you’ve got a bike.

“It also makes a difference if you like in one of the flats quite high up.”

Emma Felgate, who has lived in the block for 20 years, said PHP representatives have recently pinned up warnings for residents not to get in a lift in the event of a fire.

“I’ve not noticed any bikes or buggies in the way on my floor,” she said.

“I feel safe living in this block.”