Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Head of Housing and Health setting out the conditions under which tenants and their visitors may use, store and charge mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs within Mid Devon Housing flats and communal areas.

The Group had before it a report * from the Head of Housing & Health setting out a proposed new policy in relation to mobility scooters in flats.

The following was highlighted within the report:

·       Clear fire safety guidance had been received by both the Government and Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue and as a housing provider the Council needed to adhere to this.

·       The issue had come to light as a result of a visit from the Fire Service to the St George’s Court development in Tiverton which had two lifts and the potential for mobility scooters to travel up and down the lifts visiting various flats was therefore increased. Whilst these were ‘game changing’ leisure devices for many people with impaired mobility it needed to be recognised that these were bulky items that had the potential to block access and exit points in an emergency. With further risks due to potential fires.

·       The range and quality of mobility scooters varied greatly.

·        Following the approval of the policy, tenants would be able to make informed choices about which properties they would prefer to live in.

Consideration was given to the following:

·       The Council would not be installing charging points at the moment since mobility scooters were classed as leisure vehicles and were not covered as part of the Council’s Aids and Adaptations Policy.

·       All tenants had been made aware of the proposed policy and the legal requirements upon the Council.

·       Support e.g. with PAT (Portable Appliance) Testing could be provided for tenants affected through the handyman service.

·       The Housing Service was currently looking at the overall mobility needs for its tenants across the whole district.

·       There were currently 270 MDH flats above ground floor, officers were not aware of any scooters currently being carried upstairs in those properties. It was estimated that approximately 10 properties might be affected.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that it recommends to full Council:

The adoption of the new Mobility Scooter in Flats Policy and the Equality Impact Assessment contained in Annexes A and B respectively.

(Proposed by Cllr N Letch and seconded by Cllr G Czapiewski)

Reason for the decision

As a registered provider of social housing, the Council must comply with the regulatory standards set by the Regulator of Social Housing. In particular, that it complied with all relevant safety legislation including the mitigation and management of fire risks and meet the wider requirements of the statutory Safety and Quality Standard (consumer standard).

This policy had been developed in close consideration with the latest the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) safety guidance for mobility scooters, noting both their benefits and associated fire risks.

Note: * Report previously circulated.