Mobility Scooter Policy

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.

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