Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Mr X’s Blue Badge application because there is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s decision‑making process to justify an investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council wrongly refused his Blue Badge application. He says it did not properly take account of his medical conditions, including a recent diagnosis, and the impact these have on his mobility.

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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. 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. The guidance says councils must make sure they only issue badges to residents who satisfy one or more of the criteria set out in legislation.
7. The evidence shows the Council considered Mr X’s application under the correct criteria. It assessed his case through a healthcare professional and considered the information and supporting medical evidence provided with his application.
8. The Council decided the evidence did not show his conditions affected his mobility to the level required by the scheme. It explained it did not consider his condition to have a sufficiently substantial or enduring impact on his ability to mobilise.
9. Mr X requested a review and provided additional medical evidence. The Council considered this information but decided it did not demonstrate he met the eligibility criteria and upheld its original decision.
10. We are not an appeal body. We cannot decide whether Mr X should receive a Blue Badge. Instead, we consider whether there was fault in how the Council made its decision. The evidence shows the Council followed the correct process, considered the medical evidence provided at both the application and review stages, and explained its reasons for refusing the application.
11. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council to warrant an investigation.

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Final decision

12. We will not investigate this complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman