Blue Badge Scheme
I am writing to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for the following information relating to the Blue Badge scheme as administered by your Authority. Background: The Welsh Government's 2021 guidance to Local Authorities on the Blue Badge scheme highlights that the Blue Badge Digital Service (BBDS) provides a system that enables local authorities to send reminder letters to badge holders when their badge is approaching expiry, and confirms that Local Authorities can sign up to this service at no cost to themselves. I am seeking to understand the extent to which Welsh local authorities have taken up this facility, what alternative arrangements exist for disabled residents who may face particular difficulties in monitoring their own renewal dates, and the patterns of enforcement action taken against disabled residents. Information Requested: Data Timeframe Information requested covers the 5-year period (2021-2025) to assess current enforcement practices while remaining within standard data retention periods, plus current snapshot data as of the date of this request. This timeframe provides sufficient data for trend analysis while minimizing administrative burden and establishes current baseline position. A Blue Badge System and Reminder Practices 1. Do you use BBDS to process Blue Badge applications and issue badges? 2. What BBDS services/features does your authority use? (e.g. application processing, badge printing, data storage, verification checks, etc.) 3. Do you use the BBDS renewal reminder service? 4. If you don't use BBDS renewal reminders, do you operate any alternative system to notify badge holders of pending expiry? 5. Have you ever, at any time historically, issued reminders to Blue Badge holders of pending expiry dates? If not directly, have you provided such information or any means to enable other agencies or authorities to issue reminders (for example, DWP, DOT, or other organizations) which could inform badge holders of expiry? 6. Have you conducted any Equality Impact Assessment on whether reminding or not reminding badge holders would impact disabled residents? B. Implementation and Training 7. For authorities that send reminders, in what format (email, letter, text message) and at what intervals are these sent? 8. Has your authority ever considered implementing a blue badge renewal reminder system but decided against it? If so, what were the reasons for this decision and when was it made? 9. Do parking enforcement officers receive specific training on disability awareness and blue badge enforcement? If so, please provide details. C. Blue Badge Statistics 10. a) How many Blue Badge holders were in receipt of blue badges issued by your authority as of 31 December 2025? b) How many Blue Badge holders are currently in receipt of blue badges issued by your authority as of the date of this FOI request? 11. What has been the trend in Blue Badge numbers over the last 5 years - has this increased, decreased, or remained static? Please provide annual figures for 2021-2025. D.Enforcement Data 12. How many parking penalty charge notices (PCNs) have been issued for each year 2021-2025 for: a) Use of blue badge parking spaces with an expired blue badge b) Use of blue badge parking spaces without displaying any blue badge c) Blue badge misuse (including irresponsible parking by badge holders and use by non-authorized persons) 13. What is the total number of blue badge-related parking offences recorded by your authority for each year 2021-2025? 14. What is the total revenue generated from blue badge-related parking penalty charges for each year 2021-2025? E. Appeals and Complaints 15. How many appeals against blue badge-related PCNs have been lodged for each year 2021-2025, and what percentage were successful? 16. How many complaints has your authority received regarding lack of blue badge renewal reminders for each year 2021-2025? Request Details I would be grateful to receive the information by email. If any part of this request is unclear, please contact me for clarification before treating it as refused. This request may be sent to multiple Welsh local authorities to establish consistent data across Wales regarding Blue Badge administration and enforcement practices.