Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the application process for a Blue Badge renewal. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Mrs X, complains the Council booked a mobility assessment, to assess eligibility for a Blue Badge, for a date after her badge expires.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mrs X and the Council. This includes the complaint correspondence and information from the Council’s website. I also considered our Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

4. Mrs X had a Blue Badge which was due to expire in February. She submitted a new application in January. The Council reviewed the form and decided it needed to do a mobility assessment to assess if Mrs X is eligible for another badge. The Council booked a mobility assessment for the end of March and placed Mrs X on the cancellation list. Mrs X complained because her badge would expire before the assessment.
5. In response, the Council referred to its website which says the Council aims to process applications within 12 weeks but it may take longer. The Council also said the website explains people can apply to renew a badge two months before it expires. The Council said the date of the appointment is within the 12 week processing period.
6. Mrs X says her health will be affected if she does not have a badge. She would like the Council to issue a temporary badge or waive the assessment. She says she has had a badge for three years and has a life-long condition.
7. I will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. It is unfortunate the assessment will happen after Mrs X’s badge expires and Mrs X has described the difficulties this will cause. However, the appointment is within the stated processing period and the date does not reflect fault or delay by the Council.
8. We cannot ask the Council to award a temporary badge because the regulations do not make provision for temporary badges. Further, councils must assess each application afresh and can decide an assessment is needed to determine eligibility for another badge. We cannot intervene in that process or ask the Council to waive the assessment.

Back to top

Final decision

9. We will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman