Jersey Blue Badge Scheme

WQ.58/2021

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE BY DEPUTY I. GARDINER OF ST. HELIER

QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 15th FEBRUARY 2021 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 22nd FEBRUARY 2021

Question

In relation to the Jersey Blue Badge Scheme, will the Minister provide the following details for each year for the last three years, 2018 to 2020 –

1. the total number of applications to the Scheme;
2. the number of applications approved together with a breakdown by category;
3. the number of applications rejected, and the reasons given for rejection;
4. the number of applications that were renewals;
5. a breakdown of the total cost to the applicant of an application, to include the cost of the application fee and the cost of any documents that are required; and
6. a breakdown of the total administrative costs of a single application?

Answer

Under the Road Traffic Law (Jersey) 1956 the Minister may appoint such other Authority as the Minister thinks fit, and on terms as may be agreed, to issue Blue Badges on the Minister's behalf. The Minister for Infrastructure, under a long-standing agreement, has appointed the Parish of St Helier to undertake this function and provided for within the specified fee the Parish to recoup its reasonable costs, as permitted by the law.

The application requires a medical declaration that the applicant's doctor must complete or, if they have impaired sight, certification from Eyecan (formerly the Jersey Blind Society).

The applicant must also provide two recent passport type photographs and a fee of £15. Where a permit is being renewed old badge must be submitted before the Parish Customer Services Team can issue the new one. A badge is valid for a period of 3 years.

1. See answers (b) and (c) below.
2. Number of applications approved.

1. 2020 – 1,355
2. 2019 – 1,594
3. 2018 – 1,514

Details of medical categories are not held as this information remains confidential between the certifying medical practitioner and the applicant. It is important to note that not all disabilities are physical or visible, the overreaching criteria is that the applicant has a permanent and substantial disability, which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking or is registered blind with Eyecan.

c.  Rejected applications not recorded, but anecdotally the Parish Customer Service Team report very few. When rejected, it is usually due to incomplete section on form. Once brought to the applicant's attention, the form is amended and resubmitted at no additional cost.

4. Renewals:
   1. 2020 – 776
   2. 2019 - 895
   3. 2018 – 848
5. Fee is £15 and the badge is valid for 3 years. Application forms are provided free of charge, some medical practices may charge for a signature or a consultation if required.
6. Breakdown of costs per application: Consumables (badge with security features, lamination pouch, information leaflets, stationary etc.) £7.60, staff time £6.90 and postage £0.53.