Perth and Kinross Council

Blue Badge enforcement

Concerns were raised that the scheme had been over administered and we as a council were in danger of loosing control of the scheme.

In 2007 the Blue Badge administration transferred to Parking Services from Housing & Community Care

HistoryHistory

One member of the administration staff and associated cost (salary) transferred over to Parking Services

Administration of the scheme tightened up to reflect legislation

Reduced the amount of successful applications by 1/3

History (con)History (con)

In January 2004 the power to inspect Blue Badges was introduced within Scotland.

Police Officers, Traffic Wardens and Local Authority Parking Attendants all given this power.

Enforcement of the Blue Badge Scheme

Enforcement of the Blue Badge Scheme

These powers were designed to stop the:

Forging

Stealing or

Tampering with badges

Enforcement in Enforcement in PracticePractice

Parking Attendants (PAs) do a visual check on all Blue Badges displayed both on and off street.

Should a PA observe or believe that a Blue Badge is being misused, they are trained to do the following:

• Request Admin Support to attempt to make contact with Blue Badge holder i.e. call their contact number

•If Blue Badge holder is at home, the PAs will wait for the driver to return.• Admin Office will inform the Blue Badge holder of the misuse.• If the driver returns the PA will ask to see the Blue Badge.• Once the PA has the Blue Badge they will ask where the badge holder is.

Enforcement in Enforcement in PracticePractice

•If the driver confirms that the badge holder is not with them the PA will give them the following options. Voluntarily hand the Blue Badge over to them and they will return it to the issuing office.

Or Await a Police Officer, who may charge them with fraudulent use of the badge.

Enforcement in Enforcement in PracticePractice

Enforcement in PracticeEnforcement in Practice

• So far all drivers misusing a Blue Badge have told the PA to keep the Badge.• The PA explains the Blue Badge holder will be contacted by letter, and a meeting will be arranged with the Manager to discuss the misuse.• 20% of Blue Badges holders written to do not make contact with the POM.

•If a no contact has been made within 2 months of the misuse the Blue Badge is destroyed.• The data base is updated with details of the misuse and the outcome.• If the Blue Badge is returned to the holder, it is given with conditions attached i.e. case forwarded to Police if misused again or Blue Badge is cancelled and destroyed.

Enforcement in Enforcement in PracticePractice

Future EnforcementFuture Enforcement

• BBIS to be accessible via the PAs handhelds• PAs to input info on to the system in real time• Look to have a Blue Badge Fraud Officer/s working closely with the Administration Officers and PAs.

ANY QUESTIONS?ANY QUESTIONS?