The document discusses plans to reform Scotland's Blue Badge parking permit scheme. It notes a large increase in badges issued in recent years and inconsistencies between local authorities. A working group was formed and consulted on proposed changes. Key changes include introducing independent mobility assessments for applicants who may not meet eligibility criteria and funding local authorities directly to administer the scheme instead of using GP assessments. The goal is to improve consistency, reduce fraud and misuse, and make the system more sustainable.

1. 28 March 2012
BLUE BADGE ASSESSMENTS

2. 28 March 2012
BLUE BADGE ASSESSMENTS
Bill Brash
Transport Scotland

3. LA responsibility
LAs are responsible for:
• administration;
• enforcement;
• eligibility;
• residency and identity checks; and
• setting the badge fee to be charged locally.

4. Why Review the Blue Badge Scheme?
• 270,000 Blue Badges issued in Scotland
as at 31 March 2011.
• Around 100% increase in number of badges
since 1997.
• Inconsistent application of eligibility criteria.
• Current system unsustainable.
• Widespread abuse, fraud and misuse.
• To improve customer service.
• Operational difficulties with enforcement.

5. Review
• Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Scotland) Act
2009.
• Establishment of Blue Badge Reform Working Group
in June 2009.
Local authorities;
NHS;
British Parking Association;
College of Occupational Therapists; and
Mobility & Access Committee for Scotland.
• Issued questionnaire to LAs in September 2009.

6. Blue Badge Reform Consultation
Consulted on 7 major areas:
1. Eligibility Criteria.
2. Eligibility Assessments.
3. Enforcement.
4. Badge Design & Security.
5. Administration.
6. Organisational Badges.
7. Concessions.

7. Consultation Analysis Report
•We received 515
responses.
•Consultation Analysis
Report Published in
December 2010.

8. Legislation
Passported
•Receive the higher rate of the mobility component of
the Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA).
•Blind and registered blind.
•Receive War Pensioners Mobility Supplement.
•Seriously disabled service personnel/veterans.

9. Legislation
Eligible Subject to Assessment
• Unable to walk or virtually unable to walk due to a
permanent and substantial disability.
• Drivers with severe disabilities in both arms and unable to
operate a parking meter.
• Children <3 that require bulky medical equipment.
• Children <3 that require to be kept near a motor vehicle.
• Unable to walk or virtually unable to walk due to a
temporary but substantial disability lasting over 12 months
and under 3 years.

10. BNAG

11. Assessments Background
• Responses to the Questionnaire in 2009 stated
many LAs used the individual’s GPs for all
applicants that required to be assessed.
• GP assessments based on medical condition not
functionality.
• Responses to the Consultation in 2010 stated
independent mobility assessments would be
more objective and consistent.

12. Secondary Legislation – January 2012
• Introduce Independent Mobility
Assessments when an
applicant’s eligibility under the
“unable or virtually unable to
walk” criteria is in doubt.
• Introduced as from
1 September 2012.
• Defines “Independent Mobility
Assessors”.
• Guidance contained in “Code
of Practice”.

13. Secondary Legislation – January 2012
“independent mobility assessor” means a person (“person A”) who at the time of
any assessment of another person (“person B”) for the purposes of the
certification referred to in regulation 4(2)(f) or (g)—
(a) is recognised by the local authority to which the application for a disabled
person’s badge is being made as—
(i) holding a professional qualification, the obtaining of which involved person A
being trained in the assessment of a person’s ability to walk; and
(ii) having the expertise necessary to assess on behalf of the local authority the
ability to walk of person B;
(b) has never been employed or engaged as a provider of medical services to
person B where “medical services” includes all forms of medical treatment and
investigations to establish whether treatment is needed but does not include an
assessment conducted to establish whether person B is eligible for services
provided by a local authority (including the provision of a disabled person’s
badge); and
(c) is not, in the opinion of the local authority, precluded by reason of personal or
commercial relationship with person B from providing an independent
assessment of person B’s ability to walk;

14. Funding
• Scottish Government Health and Social Care
Directorates will transfer funding of £720,000 from health
budgets to local authorities on a permanent recurring
basis with effect from 1 April 2012.
• Distributed on the basis of Grant Aided Expenditure
(GAE) plus Special Islands Needs Allowance (SINA).
• Actual Allocation to local authorities to go through the
formal COSLA approval process.

15. Funding
• Collaborative funding
arrangements to pay GPs
have been in place since
1982.
• Collaborative funding will
remain in place until
31 August 2012.
• Health Circular issued on
12 March 2012.

16. Agenda
10:50 View from Blue Badge Holders
11:00 Application Process
11:40 Table Exercise
12:00 LUNCH
12:30 Application Process Q&A
13:00 Experience from Integrated Transport Planning
13:30 Assessment in Practice
14:00 Q&A
14:45 Wrap Up
15:00 Close