Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s parking permit scheme for people with mobility issues. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council or to show the scheme has caused Mr X significant injustice.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Mr X, complains about the Council’s scheme for people with mobility issues which requires them to purchase a permit at a cost of £25 per year to park in council-owned off-street car parks. He has a permit to park in car parks in the neighbouring local authority area where he lives and believes this should also cover the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area.

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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 effect on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start an investigation if the tests set out in our Assessment Code are not met. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Mr X and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. Blue badges allow people with mobility issues, and those driving them, to park their vehicles close to where they need to go.
5. They are issued under a national scheme and allow those who have a blue badge to park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours, or in on-street parking places for free. A blue badge does not automatically qualify the holder to park for free in off-street council car parks.
6. The Council, and Mr X’s local authority, operate separate parking permit schemes which allow people who qualify for a blue badge to park without charge in off-streek council car parks. The Council’s permit costs £25 for 12 months.
7. Mr X wishes to travel to and park in the Council’s area but he believes he should not have to pay for two permits. He believes the Council should accept the permit he has from his local authority and not charge him again.
8. I understand why Mr X feels aggrieved about the Council’s policy but it is not fault. There is no requirement for the Council to provide free parking for blue badge holders in off-street car parks and despite Mr X’s assertions the policy does not put people with disabilities at a disadvantage compared with able-bodied people. The policy also does not cause Mr X significant injustice. The cost of a permit is only £25 per year and Mr X does not have to pay it if he thinks it does not represent value for money. Mr X may pay per visit to use the Council’s car parks or he may use his blue badge to park on the street for free.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate this complaint. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council or to show its policy has caused Mr X significant injustice.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman