Agenda item

Richard Fitzhenry did  not attend. NPH Officers discussed the following :

DB: A new policy will came into force on 1st 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 for the 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.

NA: Agreed with the policy. It is expected however, that NPH should deliver what they are expected to. An instance occurred where a fire safety officer shared a video in another meeting. The officer assured members of the meeting that the video will be posted on the NPH website on 14 March. However, this has not been done.

DB: Assured forum members that will be done.

BM: Pleased with the word “enforcement,” Everyday tasks can be difficult for people with disability. Raised concerns about not allowing doormats. When there is rain people need to wipe their feet. Doormats can be thin.

DB: The policy is zero tolerance. The doormat can be inside the door rather than outside.

NA: Zero tolerance should be that. It is important to keep everything simple. And we should not have exceptions. There should be no doormats and no caveats.

MJ: How are you dealing with chairlifts?

DB: They cannot be stored in communal areas.

Cllr A:  Only had three people complain in her ward. How is information been given to diverse communities?

NM: Currently looking at translation services and a decision will be made about this.

DS: Translation in foreign languages is expensive. Better option is to approach local communities. This will help build engagement. With the regards to the issue of doormats in corridors – these need to be removed. Carpets can be cut and inserted in.

CW: There is a fine line between disability and being elderly and there is a real need for people to have scooters.

DB: Some scooters bought off non regulatory sites and can be dangerous.

NM: People can be rehoused and there will be support for vulnerable and disabled people.

CW: How do you prioritise groups of people?

NM: People can only bid on property that they are eligible for. There is a shortage of housing and no decisions have been made with sheltered stocks. No longer have resident wardens and we are looking at changes.

Cllr Ashraf: Do you have enough stock for people who have a disability?

NM: Review has not been completed yet and there is no timeline. Previously, we didn’t have sufficient property. A consultation is taking place and there should be stock for the disabled and elderly.