Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Housing presented the report which concerned a draft Mobility Vehicle Policy.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 required that fire risks in communal areas were assessed and actions taken to reduce these risks.  In residential buildings mobility scooters and other battery operated vehicles pose a fire risk when stored in communal areas and fire escape routes, to residents, council employees, contractors, visitors and firefighters.

A review of the mobility scooter storage facilities at the Council’s Sheltered Housing Schemes had established that:

·       Scooters are being stored and charged inside schemes or externally and adjacent to buildings, potentially causing unacceptable fire and health and safety risks.

·       Residents are using the Council’s electricity supply, which is being consumed at no additional cost to the owner of the scooter.

·       Scooters are being stored in locations which are obstructing fire escape routes.

·       Scooters are being charged outside via an extension lead through the window of resident’s accommodation, which is also a fire risk

A draft Mobility Vehicle Policy had been drawn up and was appended to the report which clearly sets out what Council tenants and Leaseholders of both Sheltered and General Needs Housing needed to follow.

·       The process to seek permission for a scooter

·       Storage and charging of scooters within Council premises

·       The use of scooters within Council premises

·       The ongoing responsibilities of scooter owners

·       Scenarios where permission for a scooter will be refused

·       The impact of failing to comply with the policy

Due to the constraints in respect of space and charging points there was a maximum capacity for storage of scooters at Sheltered Housing Schemes.  The Council had a Mobility Scooter Group which was attended by Council Officers including the Fire Compliance Officer and had reviewed the National Fire Chief Council guidelines and had concluded that, based on 30 minute fire doors a maximum of three mobility scooters should be allowed in a sheltered housing scheme at any one time.  The mobility vehicle can only be stored and charged in designated facilities and on the ground floor only.

Although a consultation had taken place in 2021 the data could not be used as it was too old, therefore a consultation would be repeated to get the views of current tenants and these would be taken into consideration.

The Committee were asked to recommend the draft policy to Cabinet for adoption.

Members considered the draft policy and the following points were raised:

·       Did users of the mobility vehicles have to have the necessary insurance and training – there was no legal requirement for insurance or training

·       That overnight charging should be avoided as it was a serious fire risk

·       That all chargers should be PA tested to make sure they are electrically sound.

·       Safeguards and training would be built in and created by the working group and provided to tenants

It was noted that the draft policy was just the start of what is a complex issue and there were lots of angles to consider and the document would evolve.  

Comments were asked about the policing of the number of mobility scooters in the sheltered accommodation which it was stated would fall to the Housing Officers within the locations and also the Fire Officers when they visit.  Tenants would be issued with some form of identification in respect of the mobility vehicle.

It was acknowledged by the Committee that the issue was not a straightforward one and reference was made to the PA testing and engaging with tenants to find out where the vehicles were to start with and the costs associated with having a mobility scooter and paying for the charging it. 

Cases would be looked at on a case by case basis and the location of tenants within a scheme.   It was stated that there would be significant costs involved but the draft policy was a start and would be built on once more information was compiled, further discussion followed which included having outside pods for storage and charging and the use of lifts which were being damaged due to the mobility scooters. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously AGREED to recommend the draft policy to Cabinet.

Recommendation

The Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the contents of the report and the draft Mobility Vehicle Policy and recommends the Mobility Vehicle Policy to Cabinet.