Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to renew her Blue Badge. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault.

The complaint

1. Miss X complains about the Council’s refusal to renew her a Blue Badge.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. 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 or continue 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))
4. We consider whether there was fault in the way an organisation made its decision. If there was no fault in how the organisation made its decision, we cannot question the outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 34(3), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

5. I considered information provided by Miss X and the Council.
6. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

7. Miss X applied for a Blue Badge under the hidden disabilities criteria. Government guidance says there must be medical evidence of severe psychological distress with risk of danger to the applicant or their carer more often than not, for eligibility.
8. The Council assessed Miss X’s application and said the evidence shows her conditions are well managed with medications, with no reported episodes or issues. It also noted it previously awarded Miss X a Blue Badge under the walking difficulties criteria for a separate medical condition, since treated.
9. I will not investigate Miss X’s complaint. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s decision making. Therefore, I cannot question its decision.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman