Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to decline a Blue Badge application. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to warrant our involvement.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complained the Council refused her child’s Blue Badge application. She said the Council omitted a GP letter she submitted as evidence. She said its decision significantly impacted her family, and every journey is stressful and unsafe for her child. She wants the Council to issue her child a Blue Badge and review its assessment process.

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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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My assessment

6. Mrs X applied for a Blue Badge for her child. The Council assessed the application under the hidden disabilities criteria and declined to issue a Blue Badge.
7. Mrs X appealed the Council’s decision and submitted new evidence to support the application. The Council did not uphold the appeal. Its said Mrs X child had mild to moderate difficulties with travel but there was no evidence that suggested he had very considerable psychological distress when walking or taking a journey. It also said he was not at risk of serious harm to himself or others.
8. We will not investigate this complaint. We are not an appeal body and only consider if there is fault in the way the Council made its decision.
9. The Council reviewed the application and the evidence Mrs X submitted, including the GP letter. It clearly set out its reasons why it decided her child did not meet the criteria for a Blue Badge in its appeal response. Mrs X may disagree, but there is not enough evidence of fault in how the Council made its decision to warrant our involvement.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault to warrant our involvement.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman