Executive Director: Jo Cleary
Adults’ and Community Services
Your Ref:
Our Ref: Accessible Transport Unit.
Mr Christopher Ogden
57 Brassey Road,
Kilburn.
London.
NW6 2BD
Date: 25 March 2010.
Dear Mr Ogden,
Freedom of Information 127049
I am writing in response to your e-mail dated 13 March 2010 to make a Freedom of
Information request. I will address your enquiry in the order they appeared in your e-mail.
(1) All London Councils other than Lambeth & Southwark consider applications for freedom
travel passes for residents who are listed below in 2010.
I can confirm that Lambeth Council also provide opportunity for residents to submit application
for a freedom pass. This is a legal requirement in accordance with the Transport Act of 2000.
Anyone living in Lambeth with an eligible disability can apply for a Disabled Freedom pass.
Those who are 60 years and over can apply and get a freedom pass by the nature of their
age; they are not required to apply for disabled freedom pass.
The main categories of disability in the Transport Act 2000 in assessing eligibility are listed
below;
1) People who are blind or partially sighted
2) People who are profoundly or severely deaf
3) People without speech
4) People who have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has left them with a
substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk
5) People who do not have arms or have a long-term loss of the use of both arms
6) People who have a learning disability that is defined as 'a state of arrested or incomplete
development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social
functioning'
7) People who, if they applied for the grant of a license to drive a motor vehicle under Part III
of the Road Traffic Act 1988, would have their application refused pursuant to section 92 of
the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or
alcohol.
London Borough of Lambeth
Adults ’and Community Services
Specialist Disability Service
7th Floor, Phoenix House,
10 Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall
SW8 2LL
www.lambeth.gov.uk
(2) Why does Lambeth Council not follow suit & is this act prejudiced against residents with
severe mental illnesses in the Borough only of Lambeth in London.
As you will note from the above main categories from the Transport Act 2000, there is no
specific mentioning of severe mental illness in the eligibility criteria. The main focus is on
people with physical and sensory impairment. People with severe mental illness might qualify
under section 7 above with regards to operating a motor vehicle under part 3 of the Road
Traffic Act 1988. However, Lambeth Council has made a decision to re-introduce discretionary
freedom pass to people with mental illness. The eligibility criteria would be developed later this
year and we will carry out a consultation exercise with key community organisations prior to
introducing this scheme. I would hope this process would be completed before the end of the
year and applications can be considered under the new criteria.
(3) What procedures is put into place for 2010 with Lambeth Council / SLAM so that residents
who have been asked regularly to attend SLAM CPN appointments on a enhanced CPA
care plan can be reimbursed for travel for the appointments ?
We do not normally pay the travel cost of residents to attend appointments. People would
need to speak to their case workers if they are having difficulties attending events. However,
Transport for London provides assistance with travelling for people who are looking for work
or on low income. I have attached information about the scheme in this letter and you can find
further assistance on their website on
www.tfl.gov.uk
(4) All the other London Council other that Lambeth & Southwark have an extra clause on
their freedom Travel websites see below:
Applicants who do not meet any of the above criteria may still be eligible for a DPFP even
though they do not automatically qualify.
Those applicants applying because of a 'severe, enduring and long term mental health
disability' must be in receipt of a current Enhanced Level of the Care Programme
Approach (CPA).
I hope I have clarified Lambeth’s position in terms of discretionary freedom passes. I am
unable to comment on the position in other London boroughs however, discretionary freedom
passes are outside of the statutory categories of eligibility and therefore it is unsurprising that
other boroughs would have different schemes in operation.
If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your Freedom of Information request has been
dealt with you can request an internal review by emailing: [email address] (Please quote the reference number above) or by writing to:
Corporate Complaints Manager
Lambeth Town Hall
Brixton Hill
Brixton
SW2 1RW
If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of the review you have a further right to appeal to
the Information Commissioner, who regulates the implementation of the Freedom of
Information Act. The Commissioner can be contacted at the following address:
Information Commissioner’s Office
London Borough of Lambeth
Adults’ and Community Services
Specialist Disability Service
7th Floor, Phoenix House,
10 Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall
SW8 2LL
www.lambeth.gov.uk
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2
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Enquiry line: 01625 545745
Further information on the Freedom of Information Act can be found on the Information
Commissioner's website
www.ico.gov.uk
Thank you for your interest in Lambeth Council.
Yours sincerely
David Bello
Head of Service Physical Disability and Accessible Transport.
Tel: 0207 926 6688
London Borough of Lambeth
Adults’ and Community Services
Specialist Disability Service
7th Floor, Phoenix House,
10 Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall
SW8 2LL
www.lambeth.gov.uk
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