The Blue Badge Appeals Panel of Kingston upon Thames Council met on Friday 20 March 2026 to hear three appeals against the refusal of Blue Badges. Two of these appeals were withdrawn due to new evidence being submitted, while the third appeal resulted in a decision to reassess the appellant's application.

Blue Badge Appeals

The panel heard three appeals against decisions not to issue Blue Badges.

Appeal No. 1 was withdrawn by the appellant as new evidence had been received by the Concessionary Travel team.

Appeal No. 2 resulted in the Panel resolving that the appellant's application should be reassessed. This decision was made after the Panel considered evidence presented by both the appellant and the Council. A letter detailing the reasons for this decision will be sent to the appellant within 15 working days. The Blue Badge Appeals Panel's role is to audit the process only and does not reassess medical eligibility or substitute clinical judgement. The Panel functions as a formal Committee of the Council and follows procedures designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and accessibility. Its primary objectives are to determine whether any procedural irregularity occurred in the initial assessment or Stage 1 Internal Review, assure that correct processes were followed, and review the grounds for appeal and any new information strictly in relation to process. The Panel cannot overturn decisions or directly issue a Blue Badge.

Appeal No. 3 was also withdrawn by the appellant due to new evidence being received by the Concessionary Travel team.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Helen Grocott, with Councillor Peter Herlinger and Councillor Thay Thayalan also in attendance. Councillor Anita Schaper was also present. Councillor Diane White was absent. The meeting commenced later than scheduled, at 11:30 am, with the approval of the Executive Director Place in his capacity as acting Chief Executive, as permitted under Procedural Rule 1(6). The minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 November 2025 were agreed as a correct record. The procedure for the meeting was confirmed as having been published and sent to the appellants. The Panel resolved to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the appeals, as exempt information was likely to be disclosed, in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.