Pembrokeshire Housing Financial Assistance Policy

Siting of mobility wheelchair / Scooter storage

Despite the Council not having an obligation to provide wheelchair/scooter storage for private householders or council tenants, there is a recognition of the value that a mobility scooter can bring to the lives of some residents by maintaining and increasing their independence. The council has historically funded the installation of scooter stores for private householders and council tenants despite being to our knowledge the only authority / landlord to do so. Eligibility for scooter store installation funding from Welsh Government Physical Adaptations Grants available to Housing Associations was withdrawn in 2023 hence why these are not now funded.

For council tenants we currently install in the region of 16 new scooter stores annually.  Currently the average unit purchase price is £3,794 (increased to £4,494 in 2024-25). Additional costs are incurred through building maintenance for the siting and electrical connection of each installation.  The average annual spend on such provision is in the region of £77,439 plus hardstanding and electrical connections.

To note: This sum excludes any ongoing maintenance or replacement costs associated with existing units.

Following revision of criteria, the policy is:

A convenient storage space or simple storage unit will be considered within the property curtilage for the storage of an electric wheelchair/scooter (*Class 2 only) which has been prescribed by an appropriate agency (Artificial Limb and Appliance Service) and/or the person is assessed as eligible against the following:

 

The customer must satisfy one element from each of A and B below:

A – in receipt of:

a. DLA (Disability Living Allowance) mobility – high rate; OR

b. PIP (Personal Independence Payment) – enhanced mobility supplement; OR

c. AFIP (Armed Forces Independence Payment).

B – have satisfied:

a. Artificial limb and appliance service assessment; or

b. Confirmation of blue badge entitlement (driver or passenger).

 

Following the criteria within A and B above, if eligible, an OT Assessment will be required, who will then complete a Risk Assessment on the person using the scooter.

Such a space or structure should be sited in close proximity to other adaptations, ramps, etc with a suitable electric recharging point.

If the client has access to/or use of another motor vehicles within the same household, then no scooter storage will be provided.

Funding for a store will only be made once unless exceptional circumstances apply, e.g. where a larger store is required for medical reasons.

If a tenant does not meet the eligibility criteria above but wants to continue with the installation of a wheelchair/scooter store landlord permission must be obtained for any alteration that may be required, for example the provision of a ramp, access path or hard standing, garage, shed etc. The Tenant would be required to self-fund these alterations.

 

*Mobility scooter classification

There are different models of Mobility Scooters with varying sizes and specifications, sometimes generalised as Class 1, 2 and 3:

• Class 1 - Manual wheelchairs, i.e. self-propelled or attendant propelled, not electronically propelled. These are not required to be registered with the DVLA.
• Class 2 - Powered wheelchairs and scooters intended for footway use only, with a maximum speed of 4mph and an unladen weight not exceeding 113.4kgs. These are not required to be registered with DVLA.
• Class 3 - Powered wheelchairs and scooters with a maximum speed of 8 mph generally intended for use on roads/highways. They must be fitted with a device capable of limiting the maximum speed to 4mph for use when travelling on footways. The unladen weight must not exceed 150kgs. These vehicles are required to be registered with DVLA, and the operator must be 14 or over to drive a class 3 vehicle.

In council properties, mobility scooters will only be allowed where a tenant can safely store and charge the scooter without hindering safe escape from the property in the case of fire. Scooters cannot be stored or charged in communal corridors or stairwells.