Kent County Council (20 010 060)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Transport 23-Feb-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an application for a Blue Badge because it is unlikely we would find fault by the Council.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (19 021 090)

Statement Upheld Transport 18-Feb-2021

Summary: Mrs X complained about errors and delays during her application to renew her Blue Badge. The Council was at fault. There was delay and it did not keep her informed on the progress of her application. The Council has already apologised to Mrs X for this and taken action to improve its services. This is an appropriate remedy.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (20 006 134)

Statement Not upheld Transport 17-Feb-2021

Summary: Ms X complained the Council refused her Blue Badge application without properly considering her medical conditions or completing an assessment of her walking ability. Since making the complaint, Ms X has been awarded Personal Independence Payment and now has an automatic entitlement to a Blue Badge. The complaint will not be pursued as the matter is now resolved.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (20 009 695)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Transport 17-Feb-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to issue the complainant with a Blue Badge. This is because the Council has recently awarded a badge to the complainant.

London Borough of Camden (20 007 630)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Transport 15-Feb-2021

Summary: We will not investigate Ms B’s complaint about the way the Council determined her application for a blue badge. This is because the Council has confirmed Ms B has been awarded a blue badge so there is no unremedied injustice warranting an Ombudsman investigation.

Northamptonshire County Council (20 009 667)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Transport 09-Feb-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to renew the complainant’s Blue Badge. This is because the Council has offered to do a further assessment and there is nothing more we could achieve.

Kent County Council (20 004 429)

Statement Upheld Transport 28-Jan-2021

Summary: Ms B complained about the Council’s decision not to award her daughter, Ms C, a blue badge. We found no fault with the way the Council considered Ms C’s application. But the Council’s decision letter failed to provide reasons why it rejected the application causing Ms C distress and frustration. In recognition of the injustice caused, the Council has agreed to apologise to Ms C and remind officers that decision letters must contain enough detail for applicants to understand why they were not awarded a blue badge.

Sheffield City Council (20 008 245)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Transport 25-Jan-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an application for a Blue Badge because it is unlikely we would find fault by the Council.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (20 004 455)

Statement Upheld Transport 21-Jan-2021

Summary: The Council failed to properly consider the impact of Miss X’s disability before refusing her application for a Blue Badge. The Council should apologise, complete a fresh assessment, and pay Miss X £250.

Devon County Council (20 005 719)

Statement Not upheld Transport 19-Jan-2021

Summary: The Council was not at fault for its refusal of Mrs B’s blue badge application. It followed correct procedure and considered all the information she provided, so we cannot question its decision. Although occupational therapists may not have been the most suitable assessors for Mrs B’s health conditions, they were not so obviously unsuitable as to raise questions about the soundness of the decision.