Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council's decision to refuse to renew her Blue Badge. There is insufficient evidence of fault to warrant an investigation.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains the Council has refused her application to renew her Blue Badge. She says the Council has not taken account of the evidence before reaching its decision and the matter has caused her distress and reduced her ability to access her local community. She wants the Council to review the evidence and issue her a Blue Badge.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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))

3. We investigate complaints of injustice caused by ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. I have used the word fault to refer to these. 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

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. The Department for Transport’s (DfT) Blue Badge Scheme helps people with severe physical mobility problems, or other conditions affecting their mobility, to access goods and services. It does this by allowing them, or their carer, to park near their destination. The scheme gives parking concessions to Blue Badge holders. Councils are responsible for the day-to-day administration and enforcement of the scheme. This includes assessing applicants’ eligibility for the badge.
7. Ms X applied for a renewal of her Blue Badge in 2024. The Council considered her application form and supporting evidence. The assessor decided she did not meet the criteria for a Blue Badge and so refused her application.
8. Ms X appealed the decision and submitted further supporting evidence. The Council invited her for a face to face assessment. During this assessment, the Council discussed her difficulties with her and observed her mobilising. It upheld the original decision that she was not eligible for a Blue Badge.
9. We will not investigate this complaint as there is insufficient evidence of fault. I have reviewed the Council’s records and am satisfied the Council has appropriately considered her application, supporting evidence and her appeal before deciding she does not meet the qualifying criteria for a Blue Badge. Although Ms X disagrees with the decision, there is insufficient evidence of fault in how it was reached to warrant an investigation. It is not our role to re-assess or re-take the decision, if there is no fault in how it was made.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault to warrant an investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman