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Issue

Issue - meetings

Mobility Scooter Policy

Meeting: 23/01/2018 - Cabinet Member for Housing (Item 3)

3 Mobility Scooter Storage Policy pdf icon PDF 129 KB

The purpose of the report by the Director of Property & Housing Services is to seek approval to introduce a Mobility Scooter Storage Policy for Local Authority Housing stock.  

 

RECOMMENDED

(1)    To agree the adoption of the Mobility Scooter Storage Policy for Local Authority Housing stock (see Appendix 4 of the report) with immediate effect;

(2)    Note the further piece of work to review the charging of mobility scooters and costs.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Cabinet Member for Housing:

(1)    Agreed the adoption of the Mobility Scooter Storage Policy for Local Authority Housing stock (see Appendix 4 of the report) with immediate effect;

(2)    Noted the further piece of work to review the charging of mobility scooters and costs.

Minutes:

David Mearns, Assistant Housing Manager, presented the report of the Director of Property & Housing.  He explained the background, with the increase in use of mobile scooters and the advice received from the Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service that these could not be stored in communal areas due to the fire risk presented.  These could be stored in individuals' properties.  A survey had been conducted identifying 67 scooters stored in communal areas in both sheltered and general needs accommodation.  The value of using these was appreciated and therefore the storage issue was being investigated, with a surveyor proposing works in some blocks to provide safe storage areas that meet the requirements of Fire Safety Regulations.  The identified works were estimated to cost £82,000 from existing maintenance budgets.  A consultation process was taking place with residents until the end of March. A full Equalities Impact Assessment would also be undertaken.

 

Councillor Morgan had submitted a question regarding the visits to residents, asking as people with mobility scooters can sometimes be the most vulnerable in society, could the council also consider speaking to local voluntary and community organisations to advocate on behalf of users and residents? They may provide additional insight to inform the council's policy on this and the charging.  In response David Mearns undertook to widen the consultation in this way, and there would be a further report on the matter of proposed charges.

 

Councillor Potter asked whether Patterdale House in Paulsgrove would be included in the survey; David Mearns confirmed that it was planned that all residents with mobile scooters would be contacted, but that residents do not have to notify the Council that they own a scooter.  It was suggested that contact was made with the Paulsgrove Housing Office.

 

Councillor Brent, as Cabinet Member for Housing, asked about problems of storage in corridors and what action would be taken if a resident refused to move their mobility scooter from an unsafe communal area? David Mearns responded that if this occurred the resident would be spoken to about the policy and options, but that they had so far experienced co-operation with residents understanding the associated fire risk, therefore no such difficulties were expected. The rise in ownership and liaison with the Hants Fire & Rescue Service had meant the need to review the situation and bring forward a policy. 

 

 

DECISIONS - the Cabinet Member for Housing:

(1)    Agreed the adoption of the Mobility Scooter Storage Policy for Local Authority Housing stock (see Appendix 4 of the report) with immediate effect;

(2)    Noted the further piece of work to review the charging of mobility scooters and costs.