3.6.16 A key objective of the Council was of course to ensure that the remedial works were undertaken properly and permanently resolved any issues relating to the structural integrity of the defectively constructed walls. The Council was particularly and correctly insistent that they received a comprehensive set of specified documentation providing the required level of assurance from both contractors, from the two firms of structural engineers acting for Galliford Try and ESP respectively, from ESP themselves and from the Council's own independent structural engineering advisor.
3.6.17 Following the technical review of the information provided to it, the Inquiry concluded that a satisfactorily robust approach had been adopted to the process of structural assessments of the buildings following the identification of defects relating to lack of head restraints, poor wall tie embedment, and missing or inconsistent bed joint reinforcement and windposts.
3.6.18 The Inquiry found that the design process for the remedial works was thorough and comprehensive, resulting in a high level of confidence that the risk of structural failure arising from the defects uncovered on the buildings has been properly addressed.
3.6.19 Based on the above, the Inquiry has concluded that the safety factors required within the relevant design standards, as specified in the Building Regulations, have been satisfactorily reinstated in the masonry wall panels through the implementation of the programme of remedial works.