Annual Parking Report 2019 to 2020

The Blue Badge Scheme is a national scheme that operates for those registered as disabled to access goods and services, by allowing them to park in close proximity to their destination.

The blue badge permit is available to eligible disabled people irrespective of whether they are travelling as a driver or a passenger.

In 2019 to 2020 4,739 blue badges were issued. The majority of badges are valid for 3 years.

How the Blue Badge scheme is enforced 

The Disabled Persons Parking Badges Act 2013 gave powers to Civil Enforcement Officers employed by the council to inspect and retain a disabled badge if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the badge is:

• is counterfeit
• has already been cancelled or reported lost or stolen
• should have been returned to the issuing authority because it had expired
• was being misused (including by someone other than the holder when the genuine holder is not involved in the journey

Following a Place Select Committee Scrutiny Review it was recommended that the Council introduce prosecution for fraudulent use of blue badges. Appropriate training for Civic Enforcement Officers was carried out in order to facilitate this and this is now in operation within the Borough.