Concessionary travel passes

Dear Mr Eriksohn

Thank you for contacting Fareham Borough Council. Your call is logged under case number 30002027 and has been forwarded to the relevant department for action.

Yours sincerely
Leigh Usher
Head of Customer Services
www.fareham.gov.uk
01329 236100

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Dear Mr Eriksohn

I write on behalf of the information Officer reference your request for
information under the Freedom of Information Act regarding waste

contactors and fees.

I would advise you that this request is currently being investigated, and
I will endeavour to provide you with a full response within 20 days. Your
reference is 24/2009.

If I am unable to do so, I will contact you again to advise of a date when
I will be able to provide you with the information requested, or the
reason why I am unable to provide it.

Yours sincerely

Sandy Barker

Information Assistant

Fareham Borough Council

www.fareham.gov.uk

01329 236100 Ext. 2592

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Dear Mr Erikson

I write on behalf of the Information Officer reference your request for
information under the Freedom of Information Act regarding concessionary
travel arrangements.

You requested:

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?

Fareham offers concessionary travel in line with legislation (The
Transport Act 2000 section 146). As a result, any application and
subsequent proof of eligibility that does not specifically refer to the
seven categories of disability or age is declined.

The Department for Transport has issued guidance regarding eligibility in
relation to the national bus pass concession. In this guidance, advice
suggests that an applicant suffering from a "severe mental disorder" would
generally result in eligibility under category 'g' of the legislation i.e.
would be refused a driving licence.

Following dialogue with local Social Services departments, Officers were
unable to achieve confirmation that the category of 'mental health
user/survivor' used on the Hampshire registered disabled card, would not
include residents whose disabilities are the result of persistent misuse
of drugs or alcohol.

As a result the Hampshire yellow registered disabled card is not
sufficient proof of eligibility, however Fareham does accept a letter from
social services, if it confirms eligibility and directly refers to the
appropriate legislation.

Fareham does not offer an alternative local bus pass scheme.

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?

Not applicable

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

Not applicable

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?

Travel Concession Authorities reimburse for all journeys that commence
within their administrative area. To provide a concession that does not
conform to the Legislation could incur costs upon any other local
authority in England.

The cost of the national scheme to Fareham is substantial; subsequently
there are no plans to provide a local bus pass. All disabled passes
expire on 31 March 2010; the application, eligibility and proof required
will be reviewed prior to this date.

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

The policy document to provide is the current Notice of Particulars, which
details the scheme and refers to the legislation for eligibility purposes.
This is available on our website. However, for ease of reference, a copy
of the current Notice of Particulars is attached.

Concessionary travel is currently undergoing an Equality Impact
Assessment, the results of this will be published on our website later
this year.

If you have any further queries regarding concessionary travel please
contact

Yours sincerely

Sandy Barker

Information Assistant

Fareham Borough Council

www.fareham.gov.uk

01329 236100 Ext. 2592

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contact [email address] and include a copy of this email.

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