The Kingston upon Thames Blue Badge Appeals Panel met to consider an appeal against the refusal of a Blue Badge¹. The panel was also scheduled to agree to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion of the appeal.

Blue Badge Appeal

The panel was scheduled to consider Appeal No. 1, which concerned the refusal of a Blue Badge.

The Public Reports Pack included a Blue Badge Appeals Panel - Guide to Procedure, which explains that the panel's role is to:

1. Determine whether any procedural irregularity occurred in the initial assessment or the Stage 1 Internal Review.
2. Assure that the correct processes were followed throughout.
3. Review the grounds for appeal and any new or additional information strictly insofar as it relates to process.

The guide emphasises that the panel does not conduct a clinical or functional reassessment and cannot overturn decisions or directly issue a Blue Badge.

The procedure for the meeting was scheduled to include a presentation of the case by the appellant, followed by questions from the panel. Council officers, including the Corporate Head of Customer Experience (CHOS) and an expert assessor, would then present the council's case and respond to questions. Both parties would then have the opportunity to sum up.

Following the presentations, the panel was scheduled to hold a private deliberation to consider whether a procedural irregularity had occurred or whether the correct processes were followed. The possible outcomes were:

• Procedural Irregularity Found: The case is referred back for reassessment by the Concessionary Travel Team.
• Appeal Dismissed: The panel confirms all relevant processes and procedures were correctly followed and the original decision is upheld.

The Guide to Procedure states that the panel cannot directly issue a Blue Badge, and that if a case is referred back for reassessment due to a procedural irregularity, the reassessment outcome is final.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The panel was scheduled to consider a motion to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion of the appeal. The reason cited for this exclusion was that the appeal would disclose information relating to a particular individual, which is considered exempt information under the Local Government Act 1972².