Verbal update.
Minutes:
The Panel received a verbal update from officers about work that was being undertaken to examine the processes involved with disabled parking bays and blue badge applications. The Cabinet Member suggested that there was a definite role for scrutiny to play in examining these processes and welcomed comments from the panel. The following was noted during the discussion of this agenda item:
a. The Chair proposed undertaking a format of ‘scrutiny in a day’ over two sessions to look at this issue. Panel Members agreed this approach.
b. The Cabinet Member advised that there were some aspects of blue badge policy that could be changed and that there were some elements that were set by central government that consequently could not be changed. One area that was suggested for discussion was around whether the Council should offer designated disabled bays.
c. Members commented on the issue of theft of blue badges from motor vehicles and suggested that this was fairly prevalent in some parts of the Borough, particularly around the Ladders. Members set out that the process of getting a replacement blue badge was a very long and bureaucratic process. Similar concerns were expressed about getting a companion blue badge, as well as the cost involved. The Cabinet Member acknowledged these concerns and advised that the Council was limited in what it could do about the process as it was administered by the Department for Transport.
d. Members suggested that one area to examine could be around whether the Council could administer temporary replacement blue badges.
e. Members sought assurances that the Council monitored the validity of blue badge use and suggested that there was anecdotal evidence of potential misuse during Spurs match days. In response, officers advised that they received regular updates on blue badge misuse which were taken very seriously by officers and each case was followed up. Officers agreed to pick up the issue around match days and pass that on to the relevant officers. (Action: David Murray).
f. Officers advised that they were looking into upgrading the IT system used as part of the Parking Transformation Strategy, but that this was not due to take place until April 2020.
g. The Panel noted that Customer Services needed to be involved as part of the scrutiny process as they were responsible for the frontline administration of this service.
h. Officers also noted that one of the issues was around the way that current systems do not help people feel that the Council is trying to support them through sometimes complex processes. Councillors emphasised the importance of blue badges and characterised them as being life-changing to some residents and officers welcomed the opportunity to improve services.
i. The Chair agreed that he would speak to officers and the clerk to determine how best to take this scrutiny project forward. The Chair emphasised that he was looking to get this project up and running ASAP and noted the need for everyone to participate in a spirit of improvement. (Action: Chair).