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.

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.

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.

London Borough of Islington (19 017 621)

Statement Upheld Transport 15-Jan-2021

Summary: Mr D complained the Council failed to properly consider his application for a blue badge under the Department of Transport's hidden disabilities eligibility criteria guidance. He said the Council did not consider his medical conditions in line with the guidance and as a result he is left without a blue badge. He also complained that the Council did not offer him the right to have its decision on his application reviewed in line with the guidance. We found fault in the way the Council reviewed Mr D's application for a blue badge. The Council has since issued Mr D with a blue badge and improved so we did not make recommendations.

Bracknell Forest Council (19 020 958)

Statement Not upheld Transport 13-Jan-2021

Summary: The complainants say the Council failed to properly consider an application for a blue badge under the 'hidden disability' criteria. The Council says it followed government guidance and took into consideration the view of a suitably qualified healthcare professional. We find the Council acted without fault.

Cambridgeshire County Council (20 003 656)

Statement Not upheld Transport 07-Jan-2021

Summary: Mr B complained about the way in which the Council considered his son's (Mr C's) disabilities when it refused his application for a blue badge. We found no fault in the way the Council made its decision.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (20 004 156)

Statement Not upheld Transport 06-Jan-2021

Summary: Miss X complains the Council did not renew her Blue Badge. She says the Council's decision caused her a great deal of inconvenience as she was not able to go food shopping as she normally would. The Council has now agreed to provide a Blue Badge until December 2021. We have discontinued our investigation on the understanding Miss X is satisfied with this outcome.

Kent County Council (20 006 895)

Statement Upheld Transport 04-Jan-2021

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about problems the complainant had renewing his Blue Badge. This is because the Council has provided a fair remedy.