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'Concessionary travel passes'.
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Robert Eriksohn
By email
Dear Mr Eriksohn
Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Request for Information
I am writing to reply to your email enquiry dated 29 January 2009 asking for information held by the Council. We have dealt with your enquiry under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
You have requested information in relation to the nationwide concessionary travel scheme and mental health:
Does your authority provide concessionary travel passes to those individuals registered with their local Social Services department as disabled on the grounds of being a mental health user or survivor?
If your authority does have such arrangements why was the decision taken to extend the scheme in this way and what arrangements are in place?
If your authority does not have such arrangements does your authority have some other arrangement beyond the statuary minimum to provide passes to those with mental health issues?
If your authority does not have such arrangements why was the decision taken not to extend the scheme in this way and has consideration been given to extending the scheme in this way in the future?
Would it be possible to provide copies of any relevant policy documents you may have.
The following information is provided free of charge in response to your enquiry:
Our authority does not provide concessionary travel passes to those individuals registered with their local Social Services department as disabled on the grounds of being a mental health user or survivor.
Those who are unable to drive due to their medical condition (for example if their medication prevents them from driving) might be issued with a pass.
For those applying for a pass under disability grounds we ask for proof of disability. We accept:
Registered disabled card
Blue Badge
Disability allowance letter (that must show receipt of the higher rate mobility component)
War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement award letter
Medical certificate
Medical certificate
GP's letter determining details of their medical condition with regard to their physical mobility
We follow Department for Transport guidelines for issuing passes to those with disabilities. This lists seven categories of eligible disabled persons:
a) blind or partially sighted
b) profoundly or severely deaf
c) without speech
d) has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to walk
e) is without arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms
f) has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
a person with a learning disability has a reduced ability to understand new or complex information, a difficulty in learning new skills, and may be unable to cope independently. These disabilities must have started before adulthood and have a lasting effect on development. The person should be able to qualify for specialist services and he or she may have had special education provision.
g) would, if he applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have his application refused pursuant to section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.
Under section 92 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 the Secretary of State may refuse to issue a driving licence on the grounds of the applicant's medical fitness. Those who are currently barred from holding a licence are people with:
epilepsy
severe mental disorder
liability to sudden attacks of giddiness or fainting
inability to read a registration plate in good light at 20.5 metres (with lenses if worn)
other disabilities which are likely to cause the driving of vehicles by them to be a source of danger to the public
There are currently no proposals to issue concessionary travel passes to those individuals on the basis of them being registered with their local Social Services department as disabled on the grounds of being a mental health user or survivor. The grant awarded to the council for concessionary travel is insufficient to cover the statutory minimum scheme, and as a result the only extension offered beyond the minimum is companion permits for pass holders who need assistance to travel.
Yours sincerely
Amanda Sparkes
Community Business Manager
Date: Thursday, 05 February 2009
Ref: 5.2.09
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