Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to award a blue badge for his child. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault that would justify further investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council wrongly declined his application for a blue badge for his two-year-old child. He said the Council’s decision has caused him distress and he wants the Council to apologise and issue a blue badge without delay.

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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 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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Blue badge scheme

6. Blue badges can be awarded to applicants aged three and above based on a range of different criteria.
7. For a child under the age of three to be awarded a blue badge the criteria is more restricted. They must only be one of the following:
• a child who, on account of a condition, must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around with the child without great difficulty;
• a child who, on account of a condition, must always be kept near a motor vehicle so that, if necessary, treatment for that condition can be given in the vehicle or the child can be taken quickly in the vehicle to a place where such treatment can be given. (Blue Badge scheme local authority guidance, June 2025, section 4.28)

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My assessment

8. The Council refused Mr X’s application for a blue badge for his two-year old child. It explained that his child did not meet the criteria set out in section 4.28 of the guidance. However, it told Mr X that if he applied again when the child turned three, they would likely be awarded a blue badge due to their disabilities.
9. In making its decision, the Council took account of the relevant guidance and the information provided by Mr X. The Council followed the appropriate procedures when making this decision and I cannot therefore criticise it.
10. We will not investigate this complaint further as there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

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Final decision

11. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman