News

Blue badge and burial decisions called in for review

By Tim Harris
January 05, 2012

OPPOSITION councillors have called in Rushmoor Borough Council decisions to increase costs for disabled parking and cremation services.

In December the council’s cabinet approved long-debated plans to charge disabled people in Aldershot and Farnborough to park in its car parks, dependent on the type and extent of their disability.

The authority also confirmed at the same meeting increases to cremation and burial costs, by 10% and 15% respectively, when the rate of inflation in 2012 is only 5%.

The cost of a cremation would go up from £650 to £710.

Labour councillors Keith Dibble, Sue Dibble, Mike Roberts, Frank Rust and UK Independence Party member Steve Smith have all formally called in the blue badge decision.

Cllr Don Cappleman, also of the Labour Party, joined this list of names to call in the decision made to increase cremation and burial costs.

Cllr Keith Dibble, who represents the North Town ward, said: “We believe both decisions made by the cabinet are unfair and wrong.

“We hope [that] by using the calling-in process, council will review and overturn the original decisions.”

Rushmoor Borough Council will now be forced to hold a special meeting of its Environmental Policy & Review Panel, to reconsider the decisions made by cabinet.

Cllr Peter Moyle, the council leader, has hit back at the objecting members and branded their actions as taking a "political opportunity".

“I would like to hear whether Cllr Dibble and the other councillors can present an alternative,” he said.

“They think it is a political opportunity, but they don’t have to arrive at a budget that has an effect on frontline services and is about to be frozen again next year.

“I will be very interested in what they have to say.”

The proposed changes to blue badge parking has been a controversial issue for some time, and Rushmoor Borough Council argued the need to bring in a charge was down to abuse of the scheme.

But Cllr Dibble said he believed the council just wanted more money.

He said: “It is to bring in additional revenue. The government has announced new policies for policing of the blue badges which is aimed specifically at stopping abuse.

“Therefore I would ask the question – why do Rushmoor Borough Council need to introduce a charge if the issue is abuse? It is about money, and they should say it is about money.”

One disabled Rushmoor resident, Keith Jeffery, 78, from Cove, Farnborough, has called the council "short-sighted".

“As well as having ease of parking, disabled people should have free parking,” said Mr Jeffery, who suffers from Myasthenia Gravis.

“It seems to me the council are going against that government initiative. It is very short-sighted.”

Mr Jeffery also said he believed that most abuse of blue badges was because people did not fully understand them, so the council should educate about the scheme rather than bring in a charge.

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Just returned from a very enjoyable week in Scarborough and visited several towns around Yorkshire. Notice on all streets and 90% of car parks "Disabled Blue Badge Holders may park free and without time limit, Badge and clock must be displayed on dashboard" this is also the case of neighbouring towns close to Aldershot/Farnborough (where I will be shopping in future). Now back in greedy Rushmoor where the norm seems to be "If it moves, charge it!!" shame on you our elected councilors. I understand that charging disabled drivers is for a six month trial period, don't insult my intelligence, we all know that once it's here it's here to stay. One last thing dear councillors, Disabled badges are NOT given out willy nilly there is a strict criteria that must be followed.

Dougal, Aldershot
22/01/2012 at 12:31

reply to following:- I'm not sure what side of the argument you're comment puts you on , but this doesn't make any difference to my argument .... keep the parking free Si G, Farnborough

I think that the disabled people should not pay for parking any way - but their must be a way to stop those that use blue badges that who are not entitled to them at all, because it is because of these people why the genuine disabled people are having this problem in the first place.

Those who complain about the disabled not paying for parking have to get old and struggle to get around, but what these people don't realise is that many of these disabled and old pay full council tax then pay for blue badge on top which is £2 at moment but going up to £10.00 in april 2012 and then on top expected to pay for parking in council car parks, how many of you acually pay full council tax when driving your car to the car park? - their are quite a few round where I live that are all on benefits get everything free from rent council tax and are able to walk but still have a car paid with tax payers money - and yet moan when disabled people get free parking - maybe we should stop your benefits so that you pay for everything just like many who are disabled and old and then you will understand how they feel.

Aldershot Born
11/01/2012 at 09:33

Hi AF , no but it is his choice to live or work where he wants and he can park anywhere in the town , whether it is in the public pay car park or on an free to park road 10 minutes out of town .... get a grip !

Si G, Farnborough
09/01/2012 at 12:06

Si G, what you fail to point out is that in your scenarios, the chaps who are unable to walk into town, thus rendered beholden to the car, would be in reciept of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance. DLA and AA are provided to accomodate just such disparities (in fact DLA can include a mobility component which may be used to fund a car!).

Anyhow, what about the able bodied farm worker who lives in a farm house 10 miles from the nearest town - he has no choice but to drive. Or are you suggesting that all able bodied people should live near a town?

Aldershot Flyer
06/01/2012 at 18:20

AB mostly right , but blind passengers count and those that can't use their arms too and those who's condition causes them severe breathlessness that may endanger life and unstable diabetes and severe epilepsy. And you're right it isn't free , it costs 2 quid !

I'm not sure what side of the argument you're comment puts you on , but this doesn't make any difference to my argument .... keep the parking free

Si G, Farnborough
06/01/2012 at 14:43

Reply to Si G, Farnborough.

A person who gets a Blue Badge is because they have problems walking or are in a wheel chair, other illnesses do not count it goes on walking ability.

Blue Badges are not free in first place have to go through a lot to even get a blue badge and then on top have to pay Hampshire County council for it, its not FREE. Details on this are at following:- http://www3.hants.gov.uk/bluebadge.htm

All details on this page.

Aldershot Born
06/01/2012 at 12:32

Annoying as it may be that some people are given preferential treatment for things such as parking I think it is worth reflecting on the reasons why this is the case. Let's consider three people that live in an awesome town like Farnborough. Man One is 35 and perfectly fit , Man two is 35 and without the use of his legs and the other ( Man three ) is 80 able bodied , but has developed diabetes and runs short of breath easily.

Case 1 All three want to do their weekly shopping. No problem here as Morrison have a free car park with plenty of spaces and close to the shop spaces for the disabled , or they can order online and get it delivered. Case 2 All three want to get wedding gift and maybe a pasty for lunch. Man one has the choice of walking into town or paying to park in the town center car park. Man two has no choice but to park. Man three could walk , but a strange man wearing black with a large gardening tool keeps following him, so he really has to park in the town center.

OK so , they could all use public transport or get a taxi. But I think it hardly a detriment to society to offer a free choice to those that need it. And as Dawi says this change in culture also puts the weaker members of our society in a position that may result in fines they cannot afford due to restrictions they may not understand or forces beyond their control as we can all see that mobility issues can give rise to different issues.

So much for Daves's caring sharing big society eh ! We'll be charging em to use the lavs next

Si G, Farnborough
06/01/2012 at 12:00

The previous comments to this article show how confusing the alterations would be if endorsed by the Council review.

Car parking free on yellow lines, at on-street disabled bays or if you are from EU land (UK is part of EU n'est- ce pas?).

How big will the signs need to be to clarify that lot?

I still do not know how my disabled (full badge as it were) neighbour can use his blue badge iif I drive him to town.

No clues as to how the parking enforcers will be able to discriminate.

Such lack of clarity and user confusion at this late stage of the process to adopt the parking changes says an awful lot about the structure, review process, impact assessment, communication with stakeholders and due diligence of RBC.

Sometihng about brewery and inebreation springs to mind.

Retired of Aldershot, Aldershot
06/01/2012 at 10:12

I’m not disabled, but I can see some very good reasons for those questioning why disabled people shouldn’t be charged for parking.

However the one overriding reason is as follows. Disabled Parking badges are issued (or should be issued) to those with some form of mobility problems. People with these sort of conditions will have variable levels of stamina and may well need to take frequent rest breaks depending on their condition. If the council make them pay a parking charge then this charge is for a fixed period of time (1 hour, 2 hours etc.). So how long should they pay for? And of course if they have to pay for a fixed period you know what the council are going to do if they go over that fixed period – Issue them with a hefty penalty charge notice.

As an example, my Farther who is a blue badge holder and is of advancing years (he’s an octogenarian) and has a pacemaker fitted has good days and bad days. For his age and condition he is still quite spritely and likes to do as much for his self as he can (it’s his independence). However he would sooner not go to a place for fear of getting a hefty parking fine on his meagre pension as he can’t always gauge how long it is going to take him to get around.

I now that my Father is one example and his condition and circumstances are going to be quite different to the wide variety of conditions that other disabled drivers have, but for many the principal will stand. Once the council starts to charge disabled drivers then they are going to start fining them if the go over the time they have paid for no matter what. Then you have to run an appeals process (how much is that going to cost both the council and the disabled drivers). Then remember that council parking fines are covered under Criminal Law (magistrates court) not Civil Law (county court), so the council will potentially end up criminalising Disabled Drivers for parking in the town, is that what we really want to do?

Also we need to remember that other EU disabled drivers are entitled to use their disabled parking permits over here how likely are they to understand a set of rules if they change from town to town.

Dawi, Aldershot
05/01/2012 at 22:45

The rules for parking under the Blue Badge Scheme state the following ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Where you can park

The following table lists the parking concessions available to you as a Blue holder. However, you must always check signs to see what the rules are when parking.

Yellow lines

Badge holders may park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours but in general not where there are restrictions on loading or unloading – indicated by yellow kerb dashes and/or signs on plates. (You may wish to check whether a particular local authority has chosen to exempt Blue Badge holders from this restriction.) Where local schemes apply, such as those that apply in parts of central London, you should check the rules for that area. You are not entitled to park on yellow lines in off-street car parks. You must display the Blue Badge and the blue parking clock showing the quarter hour period during which you arrived. You must wait for at least one hour after a previous period of parking before you can park the same vehicle in the same road or part of a road on the same day.

‘On-street’ parking meters and pay-and-display machines.

Badge holders may park for free and for as long as they need to. You must display the Blue Badge.

‘On-street’ disabled parking bays (Signs have a blue wheelchair symbol)

You may park free and without time limit unless signs say otherwise (check local signs for information). You must display the Blue Badge. Always try to use these bays instead of parking on yellow lines.

Places you need to check before parking

Off-street car parks (such as supermarket, hospital or local authority car parks)

Off-street car park operators should provide parking spaces for disabled people. However, it is up to the car park owner to decide whether badge holders can park free of charge. Do not assume you can always park for free.

Town centres where local schemes are in operation

Please check local signs for information.

On-street parking areas where all motorists can park for free but only for a limited time

Badge holders may park for as long as they wish unless signs say otherwise. Please check with signs before parking. If there is a time limit please display the blue parking clock which should be set to show the quarter hour period during which you arrived.

Private roads

Do not park unless you have permission from the owner(s).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From the above it would seem that the council could get away with charging in council car parks but not in on street parking. Should they try that then they will probably drive the badge holders to park on yellow lines, which they are entitled to do without charge under the scheme and the council cannot charge them or fine them for for it. Also the council will then have to make sure that all road markings and signs are up to date, clear and conform the the regulations which is going to cost them more money. So the whole exercise seems like it is going to be a false economy on the part of the council.

Dawi, Aldershot
05/01/2012 at 22:08

I agree with Aldershot Flyer - it's absolutely right to have parking close to the venue, but why should disabled people not have to pay like the rest of us. If you can afford to run a car you can afford 60p to park.

Sarah Farnborough, Farnborough
05/01/2012 at 14:59

Keith Jeffrey fails to explain why disabled people should be allowed to park without charge! I'm fully in favour of equality and agree whole heartedly that disabled drivers should be offered parking in closer proximity to their destination. This is afterall, the purpose of having a blue badge; accommodating their disability. I'm still lost on the free parking issue though! Parking charges should not be based on the drivers physical ability - that's discrimination, isn't it?