Bournemouth Liberal Democrats

Roger West Email to Ed White on PARK HOMES

Ed White, Committee Clerk to CLG Inquiry into Park Homes 8th June 2012

Dear Ed.

I am grateful that you and your colleagues are willing to consider even at this late stage some further evidence.

I had sent to you on the 28th May a copy of my email to the Equality and Human Rights Commission which I understand was within the closing date for submissions; I have now received the attached reply. The question of who is responsible for the paths and the steps on a pitch has been clarified by Steven Day, a very respected housing officer who is responsible for the 9 Park Home sites in Bournemouth. I think that the MPs will find these replies very interesting.

The email from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission states "The Commission is concerned that this lack of protection for disabled residents still exists and is grateful to receive evidence, such as the examples you have provided, to show that there is a genuine need for improvement of the legislation." You will be interested to learn that in my original phone call to them I was told that if the site was a Holiday Park then it would be covered by the Act. This was why I wrote so as to get a written statement. The email from an officer in Bournemouth about the provision of steps and paths on a pitch is also very important late evidence.

I have followed this course of action as I have residents who feel almost imprisoned in their own homes as they do not feel safe to go out without the help of a relative or resident. This cannot be right.

I think that it is obvious that Park Home sites should be covered by the Equalities Act 2010. How this is achieved is up to the lawyers but in the meantime I think that the insurance companies who provide the site owner with cover should be informed whether their liability is greatly enhanced by the lack of safety provision on the site. All residents should be aware of this state of affairs and there should be an accident book available for residents.

There is an excellent campaign being organised by Sonia McColl which I fully support relating to intimidation and sale blocking by unscrupulous site owners. However in my experience of 13 years as a ward Councillor with 5 sites in my ward most of the problems relate to the initial contract (Written Statement) between the site owner and the proposed resident. I have written at length on this subject in my two statements. This process is very one sided if a solicitor is not involved and should be made much clearer.

A possible solution might be that the Licensing Authority recommends that new owners are provided with a tick list before agreeing to purchase.

Is there an age restriction policy on the site? Yes / No

Are pets allowed? Yes /No

Is the proposed purchaser aware that the site owner takes a 10% commission when the home is sold? Yes/ No

Can residents take advantage of dual fuel gas/ electricity tariffs? Yes/ No

Are there any restrictions on the electrical equipment that can be installed? Yes/ No. Some site owners place restrictions on the amperage of a power shower for example.

Is the water supply adequate? Does the use by a neighbour affect the supply in the home? Yes/ No

Does the site comply with the Equalities Act 2010? Yes / No

Is there a maintenance improvement plan for the site to ensure that the safety of residents is paramount? Yes / No

Is the scale of pitch fees publicised? Yes /No. Some site owners have different fees for identical pitches. This affects resale value and causes resentment.

If sites were improved to these standards I think that the industry would benefit. It is Government Policy that residents should be encouraged to live in their own home for as long as possible and this should be taken into account both by national legislation but also possibly by the local licensing authority who should take a much more active role in ensuring that all their council tax payers are treated with respect.

With good well enforced regulation, living in a park home should be an ideal way to live for those approaching retirement age. I see that this can only be better for this industry and help to drive out those with no social conscience.

Yours sincerely, Roger

Cllr Roger West, Redhill & Northbourne Ward, Bournemouth

Deputy Group Leader, Liberal Democrats

P.S. On one site alone there has been 3 trips/falls in the past 12 months. One involved a wheel chair tipping over into a flower bed, causing the resident severe bruising