COUNCILLORS say they are ‘disappointed’ an investigation into how the council handles Blue Badge requests will take place later than they had originally hoped.
The review, which was outlined at a meeting of the council’s scrutiny commission in February, was tipped for completion by April in a proposal from Wellbeing and Finance panel chair councillor Malcolm Tullett.
Members of the scrutiny commission nodded through the proposal without any amendments at the February meeting.
But the News understands a report into the investigation will not be presented at next month’s scrutiny commission meeting as originally proposed, and instead, the scrutiny will not now start until some time in April.
READ MORE: Bracknell Forest has one of highest blue badge disparity rates from 109 UK councils
This comes despite the publication of research from the BBC which showed the borough had the 16th highest disparity from 109 UK councils between approval rates for Blue Badge applicants with physical impairments and applicants with non-visible disabilities.
This means Bracknell Forest residents with non-visible disabilities are less likely to receive the parking permit than people with physical impairments, which allows people to park nearer to their destination.
Councillor Malcolm Tullett, whose working leading research into social isolation and loneliness in the borough led to him proposing the review, said: “I am extremely disappointed.
Blue Badges are easier to obtain in Bracknell Forest if you have a physical impairment than a non-visible disability, new data reveals
“The reason why this was put into place was two-fold. One, there seems to have been some unintentional discrimination which has gone against the spirit of the primary legislation.
“Secondly, following on from the BBC’s research, the council has been put in a bad light being near the top of the table [for greatest disparity between approval rates for Blue Badge applications from people with physical impairments and people with hidden disabilities].”
Councillor Isabel Mattick, who said she was aware of families in the borough who had been refused blue badges with ‘no justification for refusal’ at the February meeting of the commission also told the News of her disappointment.
She said: “We’re disappointed.
READ MORE: Blue badge payout and apology for 'distressed' Bracknell resident
“It’s important to make sure everybody is treated fairly and if there is a problem, it’s dealt with in a sympathetic and timely manner.
“This is the sort of thing that we as a scrutiny panel should be looking to achieve.
“If one [application] has been dealt with in the incorrect manner then that’s one too many.”
Councillor Mary Temperton added: “To me, this is quite a priority because scrutiny should be looking at what the council does and this is an obvious thing where the council is not doing as well as other councils.
Matthew Mullins was refused a blue badge after his family applied to the council
“Scrutiny is all about making sure what the council is doing is effective and supporting our residents in the best possible way.
“This is obviously an important area and we should be highlighting it as soon as possible.
“All of this needs to be looked at really carefully. The longer it is delayed, the more residents’ quality of life is affected.”
The News asked Bracknell Forest Council to comment on the issue.
READ MORE: More Blue Badges for hidden disability applicants refused than approved in Bracknell Forest
A spokesperson said the authority has a number of reviews running concurrently that it needs to complete before starting a new one in order to avoid a scheduling conflict.
In response, scrutiny officer Kevin Gibbs added: “The Blue Badges review has not been postponed and is scheduled for April, which is the next available opportunity for the Overview and Scrutiny Commission to review this matter.
“The Commission accepted an additional work programme request to undertake the review as part of its important role of being a ‘critical friend’.
“The review will look into what improvements can be made to the process in the future and therefore will not impact or delay the processing of current applications.”
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