Issue - meetings

The Board received the revised Blue Badge Policy, Procedure and Practice, following a comprehensive review. 

In summary the Blue Badge Scheme helped disabled people with severe mobility problems to access goods and services by allowing them to park close to their destination, whether they were a driver or a passenger.  The Scheme was introduced in 1971 under Section 21 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Person’s Act 1970.  This was amended by the Disabled Person’s Parking Badges Act 2013 and the Scheme as it currently stood was governed by the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2000 (plus amendments).

It was noted that the Department for Transport (DfT) was the legislator that set out the framework for the Scheme; details of this were included in the report.

Members were advised of the two key issues that had arisen during the review process:

·       Enforcing correct use and tackling potential abuse of the scheme; and

·       The eligibility requirements for organisational badges.

The report went on to discuss the changes that had been made to the Policy following the review which addressed the above issues.  The Board welcomed the revised Policy.

RESOLVED:  That the Board notes the contents of the report and associated appendices and comments made in relation to this.