Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s rejection of Mrs X’s blue badge application. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault in the Council's decision making to justify an Ombudsman investigation.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complained that the Council rejected their blue badge application, which she applied for on behalf of her son. She said a blue badge is required to help with their son’s (A) health conditions. Mrs X does not believe that the Council have taken all their supporting evidence into consideration.
2. Mrs X said that the refusal of the blue badge causes her and A stress and anxiety because they are unable to park close to their destinations.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

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)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

7. Mrs X made an application to the Council for a blue badge and following their refusal, Mrs X appealed this decision. The appeal was also refused by the Council.
8. The evidence at hand suggests the Council have followed the correct process to assess A’s eligibility for a blue badge by obtaining a report from an expert assessor and considering this alongside other evidence and information provided by Mrs X.
9. The Council’s actions appear to be in line with the blue badge guidance provided by the Department for Transport.
10. While I appreciate Mrs X’s disappointment with the Council’s decision, there is not enough evidence of fault to warrant an investigation. The Ombudsman is not an appeals body and therefore we can only look at how the Council reached their decision. It is not for us to decide whether a blue badge should be granted.

Back to top

Final decision

11. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to justify our involvement.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman