Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the refusal of an application for a blue badge. There is not enough evidence of fault in the way the Council reached its decision to warrant investigation.

The complaint

1. Mrs X said the Council failed to take account of her child’s hidden disability when refusing her application for a blue badge.

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 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))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

5. The Council refused Mrs X’s appeal for a blue badge on the ground that, while her child has autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and associated difficulties, these did not create a need for a blue badge. It found the evidence presented did not support Mrs X’s claim that her daughter’s condition meant she was at risk from traffic when crossing a road. I have seen copies of the evidence presented. It refers to other difficulties created by the child’s condition. Therefore, the panel that considered Mrs X’s appeal acted without fault by considering the appeal properly and could decide to refuse the application.

Back to top

Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault in the Council’s actions to warrant investigation.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman