Council axes charge for disabled badge
Released: 28 March 2007
Wolverhampton City Council is to scrap the charges it levies on providing Blue Badge parking permits for people with disabilities. The changes will come into operation next week, 1 April, councillors have decided.
The council currently charges £2.25 for each laminated Blue Badge issued and deals with around 8,500 applications a year. These consist of refusals, new badge issues and renewals, a report to councillors says.
Glen Mason, Director for Adults and Community, said: “We believe that scrapping this charge is in the best interests of some of Wolverhampton’s most needy citizens.
“I am sure new badge holders and those who are entitled for renewal will welcome this move. We also believe that it will result in a better service and enable us to respond more quickly to requests.”
There are currently around 10,000 Blue Badge holders in Wolverhampton and the report says that it is left to the discretion of councils when it comes to making a decision about levying charges.
The decision to scrap charging has been supported by council auditors following a review of the current scheme.
Issued by the press office.
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