Our Ref: FOI 7273
Date: 26 July 2012
Nicola Whitehill
Via email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Dear Nicola
Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request for Information
I am writing in respect of your recent enquiry for information held by the Authority under
the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Please find the answers to your
questions on the Blue Badge scheme:-
Process
Blue Badge schemes continue to run on a local basis. However a new style Blue Badge
was introduced as a result of government reforms bought in on 1 January 2012. These
reforms are aimed at preventing fraud and misuse of the Blue Badge Scheme operated
by local authorities. The new-style badge includes a digital photo and hologram, making
it easier to ensure the badge is being appropriately used by the person it is issued to.
Details of the Birmingham process are on the council website at:=
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/blue-badge-scheme
And the national scheme is detailed here:=
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/Bluebadgescheme/D
G_181208
Technically people do not have a ‘renewal’ since they have to apply again when the
existing badge is due for expiry.
In Birmingham renewal reminders are now being sent out to alert the badge holder.
Fee
The new style badge is purchased by local authorities from a national provider appointed
by the government. The national provider will also despatch the badges direct to
approved applicants, once notification of approval is provided by the relevant local
authority. While every effort has been made to absorb the increased costs of the
improved security measures, many local authorities have had to increase their
registration fees.
Birmingham City Council's fee of £2 has not increased since 1983, entitling approved
users, in the majority of cases, to free parking for a period of up to 3 years. New
applications and renewal of existing badges expiring prior to 1 August 2012 will pay the
current £2 fee. New applications and badges expiring from 1 August will pay the new £10
fee to offset the administration costs and contribute towards the purchase of the new
style badge from the approved external provider.
Please reply to me at:
Adults and Communities Directorate
Telephone
: 0121 303 9462
Public Health team
Facsimile
: 0121 303 2769
PO Box 16468
Birmingham B2 2DS
www.birmingham.gov.uk/adults
Peter Hay CBE Strategic Director, Adults and Communities
FOI 7273 / continued
Whilst we have undertaken a thorough search of the information held by Birmingham
City Council, it may be that, due to the size and amount of information held by
Birmingham City Council, some information has been inadvertently missed. If you have
any information which may assist us in determining or locating any missed information,
we would be grateful if you would contact us with details of this information, so that we
can make a further search.
Where Birmingham City Council is the copyright holder of any information that may be
released, re-use for personal, educational or non-commercial purposes is permitted
without further reference to the City Council. Where the re-use is for other purposes,
such as commercial re-use, the applicant should notify the City Council in writing to seek
approval or agree terms for re-use.
If you are not satisfied with the decision, you may ask for an internal review by officers
not involved in the handling of this original request. Please contact Birmingham City
Council’s central FOI Team at this address:
Information Governance Team, Performance and Information (WS),
PO Box 16366, Birmingham B2 2YY
Tel: 0121 303 4876
email: xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
After that, if you are not satisfied with the Council’s decision you may apply to the
Information Commissioner for an independent review at this address:
The Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF
Tel: 01625 545700
Web: www.ico.gov.uk
Yours sincerely
Philip Wilson
Freedom of Information Officer
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