Sheffield City Council (21 004 064)
Category : Adult care services > Transport
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 18 Aug 2021
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Blue Badge because the Council has offered to do a face-to-face mobility assessment.
The complaint
- The complainant, whom I refer to as Mrs X, disagrees with the Council’s decision not to issue her with a Blue Badge. She is unhappy with the way the Council carried out a telephone assessment and says it gathered information from a doctor she has never seen.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- The Ombudsman investigates 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 the Council offers a fair remedy. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by Mrs X and the Council. This includes the Council’s offer to do a face-to-face mobility assessment. I also considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code and invited Mrs X to comment on a draft of this decision.
My assessment
- Mrs X applied for a Blue Badge. Due to COVID-19 restrictions the Council could only do a telephone assessment. The Council decided Mrs X does not qualify for a badge. The Council has offered to re-consider the application and do a face-to-face mobility assessment. It has arranged an appointment in early September.
Final decision
- I will not investigate this complaint because the Council will do a face-to-face mobility assessment. Mrs X can make a new complaint to us if she remains dissatisfied after the Council has completed its further assessment.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman