No reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, or RAAC, has yet been identified in any Oldham Council buildings, according to the authority.

However, building assessments are still taking place, according to information released as part of a request under the Environmental Information Regulations.

The collapse-prone material has been found in the roof of Royal Oldham Hospital and has been likened to a ‘chocolate aero bar’, with more than 100 schools and colleges across the country affected.

In answer to a request for information on all buildings known to Oldham Council to contain RAAC, the council responded on September 29 that none of Oldham Council’s schools any RAAC, after assessments were completed in June 2023.

However, assessments across the rest of the council’s building portfolio are expected to take three months to complete.

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Oldham Council’s full response was as follows: “N/A (no known/suspected RAAC at this stage). Oldham Council completed RAAC assessments in June 2023 across their Schools portfolio and no RAAC has been found.

“Oldham Council are currently progressing with a programme of RAAC site assessments across the Corporate portfolio using the Council's building surveying team.

“The programme is expected to take circa three months subject to initial findings and appropriate escalation for further survey and structural assessments.”

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RAAC is a lightweight form of concrete. The Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS) has noted that: “Although called “concrete”, (RAAC) is very different from traditional concrete and, because of the way in which it was made, much weaker.

“RAAC was used in schools, colleges and other building construction from the 1950s until the mid-1990s. It may therefore be found in any school and college building (educational and ancillary) that was either built or modified in this time period.”

In August, schools across the country were notified they would have to make changes to the way they operate just weeks before they returned from the summer holidays, due to updated guidance surrounding the material.

Despite updated guidance from the Department for Education over the material, the Northern Care Alliance has not updated its plans at Royal Oldham Hospital or Salford Royal’s Turnberg Building, both of which have roofs that contain RAAC.