COUNCIL chiefs have approved a ‘clearer policy’ to help local community groups get disabled parking badges.

The problems with Leeds City Council’s previous implementation of government guidelines were exposed earlier this year when Otley Action for Older People was refused a Blue Badge.

The charity was eventually granted a badge for its minibus, which has been transporting elderly residents for years. But that was only after both its renewal bid and a subsequent appeal had both been turned down.

It took an intervention by Leeds’ executive member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Adam Ogilvie (Lab, Beeston and Holbeck), to overthrow those decisions.

Coun Ogilvie said at the time that he wanted the authority’s Blue Badge policy for charitable and community organisations to be reviewed, so ‘common sense’ would prevail.

Now the council has announced that it has adopted a new approach to make things easier for groups like OAOP and Aireborough Voluntary Services to the Elderly with Disabilities (AVSED).

Coun Ogilvie said: “I have recently met with some of these groups to discuss their concerns about Blue Badge provision and I know that there has been a degree of anxiety over whether they are still able to get one for their vehicles.

“Everyone working in adult social care in Leeds knows just how important these groups are to the welfare of older people and that’s why I have personally stepped in and asked that a clear policy is put in place to help those who are eligible to apply.

“These organisations do incredible work supporting vulnerable people to get out and about, socialise and visit new places so we appreciate just how imperative it is that they are able to use accessible parking.” Department for Transport guidance states that councils need to check if an organisation “cares for and transports” disabled people, which had led to some groups being classed as ineligible.

Leeds hopes to have solved that problem by now defining “care” as “concerned with the care of disabled people”.

More details can be found at: www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Blue-badge-parking.aspx