Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse the complainant’s application for a Blue Badge. This is because the problem has been resolved and the Council has decided to issue a badge.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I refer to as Mrs X, complained the Council had refused her application for a Blue Badge. Mrs X wanted the Council to issue a badge.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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 problem has been resolved. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mrs X and the Council. This includes information that the Council has now decided to award a Blue Badge. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code and spoke to Mrs X.

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My assessment

4. Mrs X complained about the Council’s decision not to award a Blue Badge. In response to my request for information the Council reconsidered the application and decided to award a badge for one year. This is because Mrs X is waiting for surgery but does not know when it will happen. The Council decided Mrs X has mobility difficulties which mean she qualifies for a badge while she is waiting for surgery.

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Final decision

5. We will not investigate this complaint because the problem has been resolved.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman