15.1 Applicants have the right to request a review of the decision not to issue them with a badge, within 28 days of the date of the decision letter. All requests will normally be dealt with within 28 days of receipt. The request must be made in writing to the Blue Badge Team and must detail:
- Why the applicant feels that the decision is wrong and provide further relevant evidence to support a review of decision.
15.2 The Review of Decision will be made by a senior manager who has not been involved in any of the initial stages of the assessment. They may request one of the following be undertaken as part of the review:
- Face to face/ telephone assessment
- Request additional evidence from Expert Assessors known to the applicant
- Request that the applicant request further evidence from an Expert Assessor known to the applicant
- Contact applicant to discuss application.
15.3 The Review of Decision will require DfT eligibility criteria to be applied against new evidence provided.
15.4 As part of the Review of Decision all paperwork submitted and assessments undertaken as part of the process will be reviewed and taken into consideration.
15.5 If, following a request for review, the applicant’s application for a blue badge remains unsuccessful this decision will be final. The applicant will be written to and a detailed explanation given for the decision.
15.6 If, following a request for review, an applicant is still not determined as eligible, they can contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO). The LGO does not have the power to overturn decisions, only to investigate the process. Eligibility decisions can only be made by the relevant officer. Elected members may wish to support individuals in their applications, reviews or appeals, but there is no scope for elected members to be part of the formal decision-making process
15.7 No further application can be made for a period of three months following the final decision unless the individual’s circumstances change significantly during that time period.