Decision details

Lancashire is the highest issuing authority of Blue Badges in England but is the only authority in England to provide Blue Badge for free. This is despite the guidelines governing the Blue Badge scheme, set by the Department for Transport, allowing authorities to charge up to £10 for printed Blue Badges.

Up to around 58% of the costs of administering the Blue Badge scheme in Lancashire could be recovered if charging were introduced.

This reports sets out a recommendation to approve the draft Lancashire Blue Badge policy, following a review of the council's Blue Badge service, including a proposal to introduce a charge of £10 for issuing new and replacement Blue Badges to Lancashire citizens.

County Councillor Tony Martin, the Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services and County Councillor Azhar Ali, the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing approved the draft Lancashire Blue Badge Policy as set out at Appendix 'A' to be effective from 1^st January 2016, and to include the introduction of a £10 charge for all successful Blue Badge applications and reported lost or damaged replacement Blue Badges issued to Lancashire residents.