The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with Mr X’s request for a blue badge. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault to warrant an investigation.
The complaint
Mr X complained the Council has asked him to attend an independent mobility assessment before it decides whether to issue a blue badge for him.
Mr X would like the Council to remove this requirement and issue the blue badge.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
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 or continue an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating, or there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by our investigation.
(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X applied for a blue badge earlier this year. The Council reviewed his application and asked him to attend an assessment before it makes a decision.
The Council’s website explains applicants may be required to attend an assessment as part of its process.
Whether the Council feels an assessment is needed is a decision it is entitled to make.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman