Blue Badge applications

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please could I request the following information regarding Blue Badge applications for the year 1st of January 2022 – 31st of December 2022, please could you provide a figure for each question for each month of the year within this period.

1. How many Applications were received:      21784

a) How many of these were online applications

All applications are received online via the national Gov.UK apply for a Blue Badge portal.

• Self-submitted by applicant themselves
• Submitted by Advisor on behalf of the applicant based on information received during a telephone conversation.
• Submitted by BB Admin on behalf of the applicant based on information recorded on a paper application form.

b) How many of these were paper applications

Applicants are encouraged to apply online or by telephone.

To provide an accessible service, the Council also accepts paper applications

2.How many blue badges were approved? 
18600 Badges were issued during the requested period.

3.How many were refused (If possible, could refusals be broken down between those that

a.did not meet the criteria         1010

and

b.those that did not submit the required evidence to support the application

Application would not be refused solely based on lack of evidence.

Further evidence would be requested in the first instance

Where insufficient evidence is received the applicant is referred for a face-to-face assessment.

There will be a discrepancy between number of applications received and those assessed where applicants withdraw / decline to complete the process.

4.How many and what percentage each month of the Blue Badges issued, were issued
a) within six weeks
b) within 8 weeks

Due to lack of reporting facility this information would take a disproportionate amount of time to calculate.

5. Of the Blue Badges issued each month, what number and percentage were

a) automatic grants
b) following walking disability assessments
c) following hidden disability assessments
d) an organisation assessment
e) for children under three years of age
6. How many independent mobility

This information can be viewed here

6. How many independent mobility assessments were completed        3421

7.How many appeals were received each month following refusals to issue a Blue Badge           

This information can be viewed here

.a) and of those appeals, how many were successful.        

 8.How many Blue Badge misuse reports were received:  75

9. How many complaints have been received relating to the Blue Badge service being provided   18

 10. How many phone calls are received regarding Blue Badge applications: 31154