Local authorities should be aware that it is not appropriate to refuse to issue to an applicant a Blue Badge solely on the basis that they are able to use public transport independently or because they already have a concessionary travel pass. However, like other successful applicants, it is recommended that organisations issued with a Blue Badge are sent a copy of the leaflet The Blue Badge Scheme: Organisational rights and responsibilities. If the information available is not sufficient to make a decision on the application the local authority may wish to interview the person further or refer them to the Independent Assessment Service. You have severe cognitive impairment. WebBlue badge holders are being reminded to check their badge is still valid and to get it renewed if it's within a month of expiring. It is recommended that a badge is awarded once an applicants mobility starts to be affected in a way that meets the eligibility criteria. The Disabled Persons Parking Badges Act 2013 allows civil enforcement officers to retain a badge which is suspected of being abused or misused. Renew a Blue Badge. 13. See regulation 9(1)(e) of the 2000 regulations. Where third parties report abuse, we would encourage local authorities to follow up the matter and to take action as appropriate in order to deter or prevent repeat offending and to encourage greater public involvement. They make take longer than usual to send you a reply. A badge can only be permanently withdrawn from use if a relevant conviction for misuse has been obtained under regulation 9(2) of the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Wales) Regulations 2000 or if it was obtained by false representation. However, it is recommended that where possible, organisations should provide local authorities with an electronic file of their logo. It is important to collect strong evidence against potential fraudsters. Your eligibility will be checked every time you reapply. Common examples of organisations that may be eligible include residential care homes, hospices or local authority social services departments that transport groups of people who would meet the eligibility criteria for an individual Blue Badge. Part of: Parking, Blue Badges and road offences. WebThe Blue Badge scheme provides a national range of parking concessions to help people who are severely sight impaired, or permanently physically impaired, travel If an applicant is unable to walk 50 metres (55 yards) in total, then their walking ability is not appreciable and they can be deemed as having very considerable difficulty in walking. Local authorities may have arrangements in place to access information from health providers, or the applicant may have evidence of mobility services they have accessed in the last 12 months from: Other sources of evidence should also be considered to provide a full overview of the applicant and their difficulties and limitations in the community or when completing day to day activities. If you can't access online systems there are computers available in the Civic Centre, our community hubs and local libraries. To summarise, the 2013 Act: The 2013 Act enables enforcement officers to inspect and retain a badge without police presence if they have reasonable grounds for believing that the badge: In using these powers, it is expected that enforcement officers take appropriate steps to establish reasonable grounds for retaining the badge. Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies. This part of the criteria is intended to identify people with serious chest, lung or heart conditions who may be physically able to walk normally. In no circumstances should a badge be issued to an applicant who does not meet one of the eligibility criteria set out in the legislation that governs the scheme and badges should never be issued to people solely on the basis of their age. (Footnote 15). The UK Government has informal reciprocal arrangements in place with many European Union Governments to accept Blue Badges from these countries. You will need to re-apply for a Blue Wherever possible we recommend that this process involves the badge holder collecting their replacement badge from their local authority offices or a nearby contact centre, so that it can be exchanged for the damaged badge. Where you cannot park. Other considerations such as difficulty in carrying parcels, luggage or problems getting in and out of vehicles are not to be taken into account. 2. WebGo to City and County of Swansea Council website You can only use this service to get information about the Blue Badge scheme from councils in England. This can assist with enforcement if such action were to become necessary. This section sets out some of the more prevalent forms of abuse and misuse of the Scheme, as well as some of the actions local authorities can take to combat this. 19. This includes: the application process and help to apply. anything to do with the badge. Local authorities can verify the eligibility of an applicant by contacting Veterans UK on 0808 191 4218. These are matters for the relevant local authority. In addition, applicants who have registered their adapted vehicle with the DVLA will be able to present their driving licence which will contain codes that refer to the modifications made to the vehicle. When you apply you will need to provide one of the following an appointment for a memory clinic; registration on the local authority learning disabilities register; a letter from a healthcare professional involved in the treatment. It is important to consider the persons ability to negotiate the types of pavement or road one would normally expect to find in the course of walking outdoors. unilateral or bilateral hip, knee, etc.). They will need to evidence (written healthcare professional evidence or during a mobility assessment) that any danger to their health is a direct result of the effort required to walk. If there is a further challenge this should be considered by an independent person within the local authority such as the Monitoring Officer. If the award letter is more than 12 months old, local authorities should ask applicants for a copy of the annual uprating letter as proof of their receipt of HRMCDLA. To license a vehicle in the DVP taxation class, an organisation needs to make a signed declaration on the organisations letter- headed paper. You do not have severe cognitive impairment. A Spica cast can be either plaster or fibreglass and will encase the child from the chest down to cover one leg or both. Photos should be in the style of passport photos, but as there are no biometric scanners involved in the use of Blue Badges the photos do not need to meet all of strict requirements for passport photos (such as no smiling and no glasses). There is no time limit set out in legislation on the period for which a local authority can refuse to issue a Blue Badge to an applicant. A person who without reasonable excuse fails to produce a badge when required to do so shall be guilty of an offence under section 21 (4BD) of the Act and liable to a fine not exceeding 1000. See regulation 8 of the 2000 regulations. BBDS has a system of reminder letters to badge holders when a Blue Badge is approaching its expiry date. Where badges are subsequently reported as stolen by badge holders, some authorities will request the badge holder provides a crime investigation number (issued by the police), before providing a replacement. If possible you should complete the application yourself or ask for help from family, friends or support organisations. However, local authority administrators should note that registration is voluntary. When you apply you will need to provide a DS 1500 form or a supporting letter from a Macmillan or Tenovus nurse. The following is not an exhaustive list, but illustrates the most common ways in which badges can be abused or misused, from the minor to more serious transgressions: Local authorities should consider ways of preventing abuse and misuse of the scheme from the outset. If they wish to appeal against their PIP award, then they should be directed to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Local councils expect to take longer to reissue Blue Badges. This would cover, for example, cases where a badge has suffered accidental damage or where a badge may have been tampered with in some way. An organisation is defined as meaning an organisation concerned with the care of disabled persons to which a Blue Badge may be issued in accordance with section 21(4) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (Footnote 2).. The evidence required includes proof of residency, a photograph and healthcare professional evidence of conditions, symptoms and difficulties mobilising in the community. We use cookies on this site to enhance the user experience. All members of staff who deal regularly with applicants and badge holders should be included in the local authoritys disability and equality awareness training programme, which should include information on the social model of disability. WebThe Blue Badge scheme provides a national range of parking concessions to help people who are severely sight impaired, or permanently physically impaired, travel 15. Local authorities should note that the lists provided above are indicative only and are not intended to be exhaustive in order to allow for new advances in technology and treatment equipment. The badge is usually valid for 3 years. Local authorities in Wales are responsible for licensing these sites; and deciding, through the conditions that they impose, whether tenants are able to use the site address as their principle address. Welsh Government recommends that where a badge application is refused or a badge is withdrawn under these circumstances the applicant should be informed by the local authority of his right to appeal and the time limit for doing so. In practice, the local authority should hold written documentary evidence of authorised officers and should ensure that all officers carry some form of identification authorising them to carry out inspections/badge retention. In the case of stolen badges, it is recommended that the authority ask badge holders to provide a police crime reference number for the local authorities to include in their records. Photographs do not need to be provided for organisational badges. As a guide the average person can walk in a minute: If an applicant cannot walk 40 metres (44 yards) in a minute (a pace of less than 0.67 metres/second), including any stops to rest, then this is an extremely slow pace which is likely to make walking very difficult when considered in isolation. We follow guidance set by the Welsh Government but they do not have the power to intervene in the assessment of individual cases. This could include a direct employee of the local authority or a contractor. Applications or renewals for Blue Badges must be made through the online system on the gov.uk website. Local authorities need to develop their own procedures setting out circumstances when applicants can re-apply and include this advice in their letters. Where suitable, local authorities can accept electronic photographs in a similar style to passport photos. (In summary if a badge has been refused following a conviction.). You do not have a child under the age of three who has a medical condition which requires bulky medical equipment or needs to always be near a vehicle. Changing or handing back a Blue Badge. You do not have a terminal illness that seriously limits mobility. You can still apply for a Blue Badge but coronavirus is affecting council services. WebApply for or renew a Blue Badge Check your eligibility and apply for a Blue Badge. You can use your Blue Badge to park in certain restricted areas for free, including: at on-street parking meters. Using your Blue Badge. In these circumstances it will not be necessary for the applicant to provide proof that their impairment has existed for six months and will continue to exist. Impairment is the thing about the individual that is different, affecting their appearance or how they function and possibly causing difficulties such as pain or fatigue. Disability, by contrast is the disadvantage experienced by people with impairments as a result of the way the environment is constructed, the way in which a service is delivered or the attitudes of those providing services. You have a child under the age of three who has a medical condition which requires bulky medical equipment or needs to always be near a vehicle. The Blue Badge Digital Service enables data sharing and enforcement checks quickly and easily. WebThe City and County of Swansea Council (Welsh: Cyngor Dinas a Sir Abertawe), or simply Swansea Council (Welsh: Cyngor Abertawe), is the local authority for the city and county of Swansea, one of the principal areas of Wales.The principal area also includes rural areas to the north of the built-up area of Swansea and the Gower Peninsula to the Applicant is in receipt of Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA), An original HRMCDLA award letter dated within the last 12 months, Applicant is in receipt of War Pensioners Mobility Supplement, Applicant is in receipt of Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (tariff 1-8), An original award letter, which also certifies that you have a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty walking, People awarded Tariff 6, - Permanent Mental Disorder of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, An original award letter which demonstrates that the applicant has been awarded tariff 6 - Permanent Mental Disorder under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, Applicant is registered as sight impaired under section 29(4)(g) of the National Assistance Act 1948, An ophthalmologist report or CV1/BD8 form confirming that the person is severely sight impaired (blind) or registration with local authority as sight impaired. Examples of cognitive impairments are given below: The application will need to show evidence that because of their cognitive impairment the person is unable to plan and follow any journey, in the form of the following: In those cases where an applicant cannot provide this evidence but can provide evidence of an award of Higher Rate Care Component of Disability Living Allowance, the case should be sent to the Independent Advisory Service established by Welsh Government for advice on eligibility. Local authorities will need to capture core data in order to determine eligibility and to process the application through the BBDS to obtain the badge. WebBlue badge holders are being reminded to check their badge is still valid and to get it renewed if it's within a month of expiring. because it has expired, the holder has died, the holder is no longer disabled, a replacement has been issued, the badge has become damaged/faded, the authority has written to the holder requesting return of the badge either following a relevant conviction for misuse or because it was obtained by false representation) or, was being misused (including by someone other than the holder when the genuine holder is not involved in the journey), the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Wales) Regulations 2000 (as amended) and, the Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Exemptions for Disabled Persons) (Wales) Regulations 2000, Section 21A (Recognition of badges issued outside Great Britain) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, Section 117 (Wrongful use of disabled persons badge) and 142(1) (General interpretation of Act) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (provides powers to tackle parking related abuse of the scheme), Section 19 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 and. Additionally local authorities will need to consider how to collect expired badges. If this is to be successful, they must be able to demonstrate that the information supplied can be acted on and responded to. A photograph is taken of each badge and booklet dispatched by BBDS as evidence that they have been sent to the badge applicant. In those circumstances, it is recommended that the photograph is certified by a person, other than a partner or family member of the applicant, who has known them for a minimum of two years and is 18 years or over. The maximum fine is 1,000. In the majority of cases there is no statutory appeal process after the local authority has decided to turn down an application (Footnote 9). Please note that some police forces will only issue an incident number if there is evidence that a crime has taken place. WebA Blue Badge lets you park closer to your destination. These can be found on the reverse of a photocard driving licence (under category 12, information codes) and in the codes sections on the front of the counterpart driving licence. Applicants who can walk more than 80 metres (87.5 yards) and do not demonstrate very considerable difficulty in walking through any other factors would not be deemed as eligible. An applicant in receipt of Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA) will have an award notice letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). You can also contact your local authority to apply for a Blue Badge. If an applicant can walk 40 metres (44 yards) in less than a minute (a pace of 0.67 metres/second or more), including any stops to rest, then the speed at which they walk is not likely to make walking very difficult when considered in isolation. Local authorities should make it clear when issuing the badge that it should be returned to them on expiry, or if the recipient no longer needs it, because the condition under which it was issued no longer applies. This could mean your local council may not be able to process applications: If you reapply for a Blue Badge your local council should reply to tell you about the situation in your area. Applicants must give their consent to sharing any personal information for a secondary purpose under the UK General Data Protection Regulations . The provision of parking for disabled people is limited and if Blue Badges are issued to people who do not meet the criteria, that limited provision will be in greater demand. GOV.WALES uses cookies which are essential for the site to work. See sections 27 and 28 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. There is a wide range of legislation available to enforcement authorities to enforce the Blue Badge scheme. See regulation 8(3) of the 2000 regulations. The table below details the eligibility criteria and evidence requirements. Local authorities have been asked to supply information to Welsh Government based on their BBDS standard management report. This is often very difficult for local authorities to prove, even when they know it is happening. You have a terminal illness that seriously limits mobility. Applications made under the temporary eligibility category will need to be subject to a robust assessment process. Changing or handing back a The following driving licence codes are relevant to this criterion: Only drivers with impairments in both of their arms who cannot operate a parking meter should be considered eligible. From six months and over a child can be placed in a Spica cast after surgery. In these cases the application is supported by the form DS 1500. You should consider this to make sure you are not without a Blue Badge. providing false information on the application form or making multiple applications) or using a badge obtained fraudulently, using someone elses badge (with or without the badge holders knowledge) without the badge holder being present in the vehicle, using a badge belonging to someone who has died, they do not produce the badge for inspection by a civil enforcement officer or the police, they use a badge when they are not entitled/no longer entitled, they are using a badge which belongs to another person with or without consent, they are using a badge which a local authority has requested be returned, allow their badge to be used by someone not entitled, use a forged badge or has one in his possession and, provide false information to obtain a badge for himself or anyone else, use a badge when they are not entitled/ no longer entitled, are using a badge which belongs to another person with or without consent, are using a badge which a local authority has requested be returned or, the organisation using the badge has ceased to exist, a replacement badge has been issued where a badge is lost/stolen and that badge is subsequently recovered, the badge is no longer required by the holder, there exists a relevant conviction in relation to misuse of the badge or, the badge was obtained by false representation, the Theft Act 1968 (in particular sections 1 and 22) may be used to prosecute anyone found guilty of stealing or handling stolen badges, Section 329(1)(c) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 may offer another means of obtaining a conviction where someone is in possession of a stolen Blue Badge or uses a stolen Blue Badge knowing it to be stolen, it is possible in certain circumstances for Courts to disqualify persistent offenders from driving for a period of time under section 146 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 and, there have been cases where people have attempted to sell badges through web-sites and social media platforms. 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