Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about changes to the car parking policy for blue badge holders. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Miss X, complains the Council has ended unlimited free parking in its car parks for blue badge holders. She wants the Council to reverse the decision.

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 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 Miss X. This includes the complaint correspondence. I also considered the blue badge rules and our Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

4. Miss X has a blue badge. For many years she has parked for free, at any time, in a Council car park. She says there is limited off-street parking in the surrounding streets.
5. In 2025 the Council’s cabinet, as part of its budget setting for 2025/2026, changed the charging rules for car parks. Badge holders can now park for free for up to three hours but must then pay the standard charge - previously the free parking was unlimited.
6. Miss X complained. She explained she will now have to park further away which will have an impact on her health. She suggested it was a money-making initiative.
7. The Council explained the change was not to make money but had been introduced to increase the availability of parking as there is limited parking in the area. It said blue badges are to assist with on-street parking and the rules do not say that badges provide free and unlimited parking in car parks. The Council said Miss X could buy an annual permit for £575. It also said she could apply for a disabled parking bay.
8. Miss X does not agree with the Council’s explanation and says she cannot afford to buy a permit. She also says there is nowhere to put a disabled bay and it could be used by any badge holder.
9. I appreciate the change has had an impact on Miss X but I will not start an investigation because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. I have checked the blue badge rules and there is no requirement for councils to provide unlimited free parking in car parks. I appreciate there may be on-street parking limitations in Miss X’s immediate area but that does not mean it was wrong for the Council to suggest she apply for a disabled bay. Miss X disagrees with the Council’s reasons for the policy change but there is nothing in the explanation to suggest we need to start an investigation.
10. The decision to limit the free parking was made by elected members (local councillors) as part of their review of the annual fees and charges. This was a decision they were entitled to make and is not something that either the Council’s complaints process, or us, can change. Miss X can provide feedback to her local councillors and ask for her views to be considered when the fees are next reviewed. In the meantime, Miss X could apply for a disabled bay so the Council could consider if there is anywhere in the surrounding area which would be suitable for a disabled parking bay.

Back to top

Final decision

11. We will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman