Concessionary travel passes

Dear Mr. Eriksohn,

Thank you for your request for information dated 29th January 2009. I
apologise for the delay in responding, however, it appears that my
initial email to you may not have been sent, hence this email. If you
have received my response previously please disregard this version.

For ease of reference, I have included your questions in my response.

1. 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?

East Dorset District Council issues concessionary passes to those people
who are eligible under the criteria set out in the statutory legislation
covering concessionary travel. This states that there are seven
categories of disability under which a person can be entitled to
concessionary bus travel. An eligible person is someone who:-

(a) is blind or partially sighted,
(b) is profoundly or severely deaf,
(c) is 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) does not have 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, or
(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 that Act (physical
fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or
alcohol.

As far as people with mental health issues are concerned, they would
qualify for, and be issued with a pass if their condition prevented them
from holding a driving licence. We ask for evidence from the DVLA that a
licence has been revoked or from a GP or health professional if a
licence has never been issued.

2. 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?

The Department of Transport criteria has been adopted by the Council.
The arrangements in place are set out in response to point 1 above.

3. If your authority does have such arrangements does you authority have
some other arrangement beyond the statuary minimum to provide passes to
those with mental health issues?

No

4. 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?

The Department of Transport criteria has been adopted by the Council.
The issue of extending the scheme in respect of persons with mental
health issues has never been raised and therefore has not been
considered. However, the Council has responded to feedback from
residents in respect of the restricted hours of the statutory minimum
scheme and has, as a result, removed the restrictions imposed.

5. Would it be possible to provide copies of any relevant policy
documents you may have.

I have provided below a link to the Policy and Resources Committee
meeting held on 29 October 2008, when the latest extension to the scheme
was considered.
http://www.eastdorset.gov.uk/democracy/c...

If you have any complaints in respect of your information request,
please write to the Chief Executive at the address below or complete the
on-line complaint form that can be found at www.dorsetforyou.com. If
your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you have
the right to apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision.

Yours sincerely,

Richard Jones
Information and Performance Manager
East Dorset District Council
Council Offices
Furzehill
Wimborne
Dorset BH21 4HN
T: 01202 886201 Ext. 2392
F: 01202 841390
www.dorsetforyou.com

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East Dorset District Council,Council Offices,Furzehill,Wimborne,Dorset BH21 4HN