FOI Request - Discretionary Blue Badge Applications
Request 101003988267
1. Assessment Process. Please provide a description of the council’s process for assessing discretionary Blue Badge (Subject to Further Assessment and Risk in Traffic) applications , including:
a) Criteria used to determine eligibility
b) Any mobility assessment tools, scoring systems, or medical evidence requirements
c) Whether the council uses in person assessments, desk based assessments, independent mobility assessors, or contracted assessment providers
2. Outcomes of Discretionary Applications. For the last Five calendar years (or another period you hold data for), please provide:
a) The total number of discretionary Blue Badge applications received
b) The number and percentage approved on first application for
c) The number and percentage refused on first application
d) The number of applicants who submitted an appeal or review
e) The number and percentage of appeals/reviews that resulted in a Blue Badge being granted
3.Equality Characteristics Breakdown. For the same period, please provide any equality monitoring data collected relating to discretionary Blue Badge applicants, including (where held):
a) Age (e.g., by band, such as 18–29, 30–44, etc.)
b) Gender (Sex)
c) Disability type or category (if recorded)
d) Ethnicity
e) Socio economic indicators (e.g., SIMD decile), if held
f) Any other protected characteristic the council gathers in relation to the Blue Badge process
(Please note I am requesting aggregated statistical data only, not any identifiable personal information.
If full equality breakdowns are not held, please confirm what protected characteristic data is collected, and provide any available statistics).
4. Waiting Times For the same period, please provide:
a) The average processing time for discretionary applications
b) The average time for appeal/review decisions
5. Complaints
a) Number of complaints relating to Blue Badge assessments
b) Categories of complaint
c) Outcomes
6. Internal Guidance. Please provide copies of:
a) Any internal guidance, assessment forms, scripts, or training materials used by staff when assessing discretionary Blue Badge applications
b) Any guidance provided to external assessors (if used)
Response 25-05-2026
1. a) This information is available online and is therefore exempt under section 25 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, information otherwise accessible. For ease of reference please find a link to the web page here: Apply or reapply for Blue Badge - mygov.scot - please see the link here: https://www.mygov.scot/apply-for-blue-badge
b) Please see here Desk Based Assessment Tool and Desk Based Assessment for Risk in Traffic Tool.
c) All subject to further assessment applications will be screened using a national desk-based screening tool by an Occupational Therapist. The Blue Badge OT has delegated authority to make decisions through applying Transport Scotland criteria and from the local authority, via the Service or Locality Manager working closely with the Blue Badge OT or Blue Badge Service Manager. The Blue Badge OT carries out Independent Mobility Assessments (IMA) and makes eligibility decisions. Occupational Therapists are dual trained in both physical and mental health. The OT will consider the information provided by the applicant, any further information sought from the applicant, an Independent Mobility Assessment – in appropriate cases – and Transport Scotland’s criteria. The Local Authority follows Transport Scotland’s advice on the level of skills and training required for Independent Mobility Assessors (IMAs). At this stage applications may be approved (and notified to the Blue Badge Service Manager and Blue Badge Officer), refused or be referred for further assessment
It is good practice (2012 independent review) for local authorities to provide scope for an applicant to be referred for certification by an Independent Mobility Assessor, if they are unable to make a clear and robust decision on eligibility using crosschecking or desk-assessment.
All the information required, initially, by the Independent Mobility Assessor is contained in the completed application form. Criteria for eligibility (and proof of residency & identity) is subject to change by Transport Scotland.
Independent Mobility Assessments will be offered at an accessible venue with a suitable parking space for the applicant to use.
In addition to a potential Independent Mobility Assessment, the applicant may also be given information on other Occupational Therapy and Community Care services that may be of benefit to them. In some cases, they may be signposted to other appropriate services. If alternative formats or languages are required for any information provided, contact the Equalities Officer at equalities@moray.gov.uk.
Where an application is refused, the applicant will be informed (by the Blue Badge OT or Service) of the decision in writing, with the reason for declining the application (noting the reasons for the decision with reference to the Transport for Scotland Criteria). The applicant will also get information about the Review of Decision process (see below).
Approved applications are processed in line with Transport Scotland guidance via a UK centralized service for printing, manufacturing and dispatching of Blue Badges. The booklet rights and responsibilities will be dispatched with the Blue Badge.
2.a)
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| 1317 | 1660 | 1917 | 2288 | 2473 |
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| 1223 | 1439 | 1580 | 1933 | 2237 |
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| 23 | 65 | 48 | 60 | 30 |
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| 11 | 12 | 6 | 13 | 10 |
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| 7 | 6 | .3 | 4 | 4 |
3.
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| 12 weeks | 12 weeks | 12 weeks | 16 weeks | 16 weeks |
b)
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| 4 weeks | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
5. a) 3 regarding assessment, + 2 enquiries from MSP
b) as per a)
c) Not upheld/not applicable
6. Please find here Blue Badge Procedure and IMA Assessment Form