Review of the Blue Badge scheme in Wales: government response

It is recommended that the Welsh Government should consider further support and guidance for local authorities in administering the Blue Badge Scheme.

The guidance should address:

• the training of local authority staff assessing blue badge applications. Training should support local authority staff in understanding how the eligibility criteria should be interpreted and applied. This would go some way to ensuring that applications are assessed by local authorities as consistently as possible
• the purpose and function of the Welsh Government’s blue badge toolkit and its intended use by local authorities including ensuring regular reviews are undertaken.
• when and why complex cases should be referred to the Independent Advisory Service (IAS).
• processes and timescale for applicants to submit additional evidence in support of their application.
• processes for dealing with unsuccessful applications.
• the recording and storage of blue badge data ensuring that data is captured more consistently to improve its quality. This could include capturing all blue badge applications electronically or converting all non-electronic records to an electronic record which is then uploaded to the BBDS.
• co-operation to facilitate the publication of statistics on the Blue Badge Scheme in Wales, mirroring arrangements the Department for Transport (DfT) has with English local authorities.
• participation in working groups to share best practice across Wales.

Response: accept

Welsh Government will consider further support to local authorities and will strengthen the current guidance material to local authorities on the Blue Badge Scheme. This will be undertaken by continuing to work in partnership with local authorities and the Welsh Local Government Association to drive a more consistent approach in the delivery of the service and the outcomes of decisions across Wales.

It is recommended that Welsh Government continue to explore opportunities to reduce the burden on blue badge applicants.

For example, some applicants being further assessed may be required to submit duplicate information across different forms, working in partnership with its Independent Advisory Service, the local authorities, the DfT and the Blue Badge Digital Service contractor.

Response: accept

The Welsh Government will explore opportunities to refresh the application forms in conjunction initially with the Welsh Local Government Association, local authorities and the Independent Advisory Service to remove any duplication.  We will also ensure the questions enable applicants to provide sufficient information to support their application for a blue badge under the criterion. 

Secondly, Welsh Government will work together with the Department for Transport, England and their contractor who provides the UK’s Blue Badge Digital System (BBDS) to all nations, to update the on-line applications. 

However, in making this improvement Welsh Government will have to consider data protection legislation when accessing and sharing personal information.

It is recommended that Welsh Government consider exploring the possibility of introducing a fast-tracked application process for eligible applicants with neurodegenerative diagnoses which are life limiting and are causing very considerable difficulty walking.

Response: accept

Welsh Government already promotes a fast-track application process to local authorities for ‘special cases’ for those with life limiting conditions who experience mobility impairments. However, we will look at this with the aim of strengthening the existing guidance to local authorities on those classed as ‘special cases’.

It is recommended that Welsh Government open a dialogue with Scottish Government officials to quantify the extent to which the extension of the eligibility criteria in Scotland to include Motor Neurone Disease has affected administrative capacity and infrastructure capacity.

Response: accept

Welsh Government will engage with policy officials from the Scottish Government to consider eligibility for a blue badge for those diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

It is recommended that Welsh Government liaise with local authorities to better understand blue badge parking infrastructure capacity and the potential impact of extending the criteria.

Response: accept

Welsh Government will engage with the WLGA on this matter.