Agenda item

Report ES14068

Report ES14068 reviewed the Council’s approach and application process for implementing Disabled Person Parking Bays and white bar markings.

A formal application process was proposed for a Disabled Person Parking Bay. The process would ensure an improved information record for each new Disabled Person Parking Bay and help ensure that use of the bays is reviewed annually. A sample application form was appended to the report.

The total cost to the Council of providing a medical assessment (by the Council’s Occupational Health service) for Blue Badge holders applying for a Disabled Person Parking Bay could amount to up to £2,250 per annum. The cost of refurbishing road markings and providing appropriate signage was approximately £1,500 per annum and the estimated annual cost of installing new bays and removing redundant bays amounted to approximately £2,600.

There were also potential enforcement costs.  

To cover the above costs an annual permit, charged at £80 per annum, was proposed for all Disabled Person Parking Bays issued at the request of individuals. Consultation with all disability groups and other key stakeholders would be carried out in advance of the scheme becoming operational.

An increased number of requests had resulted in a large number of white bar markings being installed borough-wide. The cost of the service in both officer time and implementing the markings was rising. Records were also limited on where markings had been implemented and the reasons for them.  

A new approach to white bar markings proposed a set of criteria for approving applications so enabling a consistent approach borough-wide. Report ES1406 outlined details. Any applicant requesting a white bar marking would complete an application form (appended to the report).

A £50 application fee was proposed to cover the cost of a site assessment with an additional £50 installation charge helping to cover the costs of administration, implementation and road markings. A proposed application form for white bar markings was appended to Report ES14068. 

In response to Member comments and questions, a number of points were made as summarised below:

·  the medical assessment stage for a Disabled Person Parking Bay could be excluded, with a resultant saving, but more applications for bays were likely to be granted and officers would be less assured of a bay being needed for genuine medical purposes;   

·  the medical stage also provided an independent assessment, often demonstrating strong evidence of eligibility should objections be received to an application;

·  a permit at £80 per annum corresponds with the charge for a resident permit bay operating for more than a few hours;

·  although no re-assessments were proposed for Disabled Person Parking Bays, Blue Badge holders were required to re-apply for a Badge every three years.

As £2,250 per annum would represent minimal savings, and a robust application process for Disabled Person Parking Bays was needed, the Vice-Chairman expressed her support for maintaining the medical assessment stage of the process. This was agreed as were the proposed fees related to Disabled Person Parking Bays and White Bar markings.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Hodder be recommended to agree that from 1 April 2015:

(1) a new application process be introduced for residents requesting a Disabled Person Parking Bay;

(2) a fee of £80 per year be charged to each resident having a Disabled Person Parking Bay installed outside of their home; and

(3) a fee of £50 be charged to each resident applying for a white bar marking outside of their property, with a further £50 charged should the application be successful and the marking installed.