Mobility Scooter Policy

Closed 27 Sep 2024

Opened 25 Jul 2024

Contact

housing_strategy@sandwell.gov.uk

Feedback updated 23 Oct 2024

We asked

Residents and community groups were asked for their views on our Mobility Scooter Policy, which is being revised. The policy sets out the council’s approach to promoting the use and safe storage of mobility scooters within the council’s communal spaces.

This public consultation has provided an opportunity to engage with our residents and community groups, helping us to make the best possible decisions it comes to the management of mobility scooter usage and storage, protecting the health and safety of all residents living in our accommodation, as well as staff and visitors.

You said

In total, 17 responses were captured by the online public consultation. One more response was captured via phone and inputted into the online consultation.

Support across the questions was reasonably high, with respondents tending to either agree or strongly agree with the aims of the policy. The average agreement was 73%, showing a good level of support for the Mobility Scooter Policy overall.

Responses have been carefully considered by the council and a consultation report has been produced. A copy of the report can be downloaded below.

We did

The consultation highlighted a number of additional suggestions which the council have been considered and adopted into the final version of Sandwell Council’s Mobility Scooter Policy. These recommendations will inform our management process for mobility scooters within low- and high-rise flats going forward.

As a result of the feedback given by our residents, we are now working on policy focusing on the safe use and storage of e-bikes and e-scooters in council-owned accommodation and public spaces. A consultation for this policy will be available in the near future.

Results updated 23 Oct 2024

Files:

Overview

We are working in partnership with local residents to develop our Mobility Scooter Policy, which is currently being revised.

Mobility scooters have become an increasingly popular mode of transportation for individuals with disabilities or mobility issues - this is especially apparent in Sandwell where the proportion of residents identifying as disabled is 20% (compared to 17.8% in England and Wales).

As the use of these mobility vehicles grows, so do the concerns regarding their safe storage and use in communal areas in council accommodation. These concerns include fire safety, trip hazards and building damage. Therefore, there is a need to monitor mobility scooter usage to protect and preserve the health and safety of all residents living within our accommodation, as well as visitors and our staff.

Our Mobility Scooter Policy would allow us to:

  • Ensure every tenant or leaseholder should notify Sandwell Council of their possession of a mobility scooter so that a record of this will be kept.
  • Introduce a management scheme to ensure that mobility scooters are maintained, stored and charged safely.
  • Issue advice for tenants regarding the purchase of suitable mobility scooters and awareness of the health and safety risks associated with their safe storage.

Please take the time to read the draft policy document before responding.

Comments are invited on the consultation by Tuesday 16 July. Your responses to this consultation will be anonymous.

Your browser does not support inline PDF viewing. Please download the PDF.

Why your views matter

It is really important that we have the perspectives of as many people as possible who live and work in Sandwell every day when developing the policy. We want to make sure that everyone has had an opportunity to be part of shaping this with us and look forward to hearing from as many of you as possible.

If you have any questions about the document or the consultation as whole, please email housing_strategy@sandwell.gov.uk

In line with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018, we will ensure all the information you provide is stored securely, following the seven key principles of GDPR.  For further information please visit our privacy notice page at http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/privacynotices

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • Open Consulation

Interests

  • Research & Intelligence