Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a blue badge application. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council causing injustice.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Mrs X, says the Council asked for unnecessary evidence regarding her blue badge application. She says this forms part of a vendetta against her by the Council and complains the Council would not accept her complaint.

Back to top

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 an investigation if we decide:

• there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating, or
• any fault has not caused injustice to the person who complained.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mrs X and the Council. I also considered our Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

4. Mrs X applied for a blue badge on 28 May. She says she provided proof of her Personal Independence Payment (PIP) award which was valid until April 2026. She complains the Council rejected this evidence and asked for more information. Mrs X uploaded another PIP award letter. The Council issued a new badge on 4 June. The previous badge was due to expire in July.
5. The Council says the first PIP letter that Mrs X uploaded was out of date which is why it asked for more information. It awarded a badge after Mrs X provided a current PIP letter.
6. I will not start an investigation because there is insufficient evidence of fault causing injustice. The Council has explained why is asked for more information and, even if Mrs X disagrees, the Council issued a new badge within a week and there was not a period when Mrs X was without a badge.
7. Mrs X is unhappy the Council would not accept her complaint but as she has received her new badge this is not an issue that requires an investigation. In addition, there is nothing to suggest the Council is conducting a vendetta against her.

Back to top

Final decision

8. We will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault causing injustice.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman