Agenda item

A new policy will come into force on 1^st February. All common areas shared by more than one person have to be kept clear of fire hazards. There will be a zero tolerance approach to this to ensure fire safety. Signs are being erected to notify people of this.

The department will be legally entitled to clear any unguarded material eg potted plants, coffee tables, doormats, prams and mobility scooters. Personal balconies are exempt.

The fire risks are categorised:

Category 1: Imminent fire risk items eg – sofas, mobility scooters. Will ask owners compliance immediately. If the owner cannot be found, a sticker is placed on the item. If the object is not removed within 1 day, it will be taken away.

Category 2: Medium fire risk items eg bikes. The risk is not imminent but can cause concern.

Category 3: Low fire risk items, Items have to be moved within 7 days. Letters are given to ask owner to remove them.

The issue is that a lot of properties are no longer fit for purpose. There are long corridors and mobility scooters create obstructions for wheelchair users.

Bungalows are assessed when they become empty. Assessing flats is more complicated. If there is no safe storage then it may be that the tenant will have to move to another location. This will be assessed on a case by case basis. Will look at future proofing flats eg – placing racks for buggies.

TM: Agreed with the zero tolerance approach. Watched a film and saw how fast a pram caught fire. These are big fire risk.

JD: Is it essential to move people?

DB: Not everyone has a medical need for a mobility scooter. If there is a need, then we can help people move.

Cllr D: Will people have to sell their scooters?

NM: Majority of scooters will fit in the doorway. They cannot be stored in the lobby. A business case would be put forward for each case and efficient ways will be looked at. If someone is struggling with disability, we will do our best for them. Priority will be given.

VM: concerned that policy will start Monday and there is no assessment of people yet.

NM: People have been informed beforehand.

DB: There is information on website and signs have been erected. Members of staff visited people to inform them too.

VM: Asked what feedback has been given.

NM: Feedback given and are addressing this. Help will be given to people in the interim period. Recognise that creative thinking is needed.

DB: Some people buy scooters second hand which could be dangerous.

AT: How will inside blocks be monitored? Does this apply to end of blocks?

There is a concern that if your scooter is not suitable then people have to move even if they don’t want to.

NM: We don’t want to be telling people to move. The first option is to keep people in their homes.  We need to think creatively and don’t know yet about the problems. We need to make people aware to have the correct type of items. We also want good quality accommodation and have to deal with lack of investment. There have been serious fires and this needs to be addressed.

DH: Is there another agenda here? You say doormats are a fire risk. Where is the evidence for this? Where is the common sense in this? Telling people to move as a solution is not common sense and it appears to be “social cleansing” occurring. Where are you going to put these people? There is a housing shortage. When the media hear this there will be anuproar if no research has been done.

Cllr O: What are the criteria to take up tenancy?

NM: Historically age restricted and disability. Found that we lots of mixed blocks.

Cllr O: You have to careful on how to select. When people come to sheltered housing they also own a car. Disability bays could be put in.

DB: doing a property review for sheltered housing. Eg – lower plug sockets and radiator valves need to be put on the top.

TM: Don’t like the words “zero tolerance.” Where do you draw the line? Eg – height of a plant pot?

DH: This will not help people and will cause stress and upsetting for the elderly. People are living for longer. Moving people because they are a problem - can’t see the research done on this.

DB: Did a check on 7 blocks. All had fire safety checks. Eg – Big TVs, bikes, scooters were left in the corridors. If there had been a fire they would have been an obstruction. This causes anti-social behaviour – eg flytipping. This is the driver to do this. It is not to “cleanse” people out of accommodation. We will support all our tenants and want people to stay home and enjoy their lifestyle. Our job is support people. If we support early on we can assess. Service is to be fluid and people can dip in and out of it. We will work with people to find solutions.

AT: Would that mean reviewing your policy on letting?

NM: Yes.

ACTION: Any further issues – can Forum members can contact NM on NMcKenzie@northamptonpartnershiphomes.org.uk.