Adult Social Care 4th Floor, Stopford House Piccadilly SK1 3XE Telephone: 0161 – 474 3422
Date 10th 0ctober2012
Re: Consultation on Proposed Changes to the Blue Badge Scheme Dear From 1st April 2013, Stockport Council is proposing to introduce a charge of £10 for each Blue Badge that it issues. As someone who uses the Blue Badge scheme, we would like to ask your opinion on this and to give you some background information. Background to the Proposals In February 2011, the Government announced a major programme of reforms to the Blue Badge scheme. The reform programme has been developed in consultation with disabled people, older people, local authorities and other stakeholders. Nationally Blue Badges provide a vital lifeline to over 2.5 million people every year by prioritising key parking spaces close to important services. However, increasing levels of fraud mean those who genuinely need to use these parking spaces often find themselves displaced by people who do not. The Government estimates that this fraud is costing around £46 million a year. There have been very few changes to the Blue Badge scheme since it was introduced in the 1970’s and the Government believes it is in need of modernisation. As part of the reform programme a series of improvement measures have been introduced. Measures include:
Providing local authorities with an ‘on the spot’ power to retrieve badges that have been cancelled and misused
Shared administration between local authorities including an online application facility resulting in faster renewals, reduced abuse and operational efficiency savings of up to £20 million per year
Wider use of independent mobility assessments to determine eligibility, including where previously that assessment was carried out by a GP and support for this by giving local authorities control of the NHS spend on Blue Badge assessments
The replacement of handwritten badges with standard electronic ones which are harder to alter and forge
Extending the scheme to more disabled children under three years of age, and severely disabled Armed Forces personnel and veterans
In order to finance these improvements, the maximum fee that local authorities can charge for issuing a badge has risen from £2 to £10. This is the first increase in charge for 30 years and the Government believes that in return badge holders will benefit from less abuse, improved accessibility and better customer service. How to take part in this consultation There are a number of different ways that you can take part in this consultation. 1. Do it Online We would prefer you to visit www.stockport.gov.uk/haveyoursay to tell us what you think. This is the quickest and most efficient way to provide your feedback. If you don’t have access to the internet, you can visit your local library for free internet access. The consultation closes online on 19th November 2012. 2. Postal questionnaire If it is not possible for you to respond online, then please complete the paper questionnaire (enclosed) and return it to us at the following Freepost address: Adult Social Care: Blue Badges, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, FREEPOST, License No. SK255, Stockport, SK1 3YQ The consultation closes on 19th November, but to ensure your responses are counted, please return paper copies of the questionnaire no later than Monday 5th November 2012. 3. Attend a drop in event We have arranged an event, to be held on Friday 26th October 2012, between 12pm and 8pm at Offerton Community Centre, Mallowdale Road, Stockport, SK2 5NX. A map and directions to the venue are enclosed. Please come along and provide your feedback to us in person. This will provide you with an opportunity to share any concerns you may have regarding the proposals, and help us to identify solutions. Thank you for your participation.
Yours sincerely
Jenny Rollinson Service Manager, Adult Social Care