William Eichler 11 October 2016

Council declares out-of-date blue badge amnesty

North Somerset Council has declared a month long amnesty to encourage people to hand in out-of-date blue badges.

At the end of September, the south western council announced anyone in possession of an invalid blue badge would be able to hand it in during October without fear of prosecution.

The badges are designed to allow disabled people to park close to their destinations without being penalised. There are currently 12,000 issued in north Somerset.

Their misuse, i.e. using out-of-date or altered badges or using one when the badge holder is not present, is a criminal offence and carries a fine of up to £1,000.

Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, deputy leader of North Somerset Council, said officers confiscated 12 badges that are being investigated for misuse in just one weekend recently.

‘This has an effect on genuine blue badge holders but also upsets the general public seeing abuse of the system,’ he said.

‘We are therefore introducing this temporary amnesty to give those with invalid or expired blue badges a final chance. After that officers will be cracking down hard with prosecutions for fraudulent use.’

This follows a report from the Local Government Association (LGA) last August that found the number of blue badge thefts has risen by a fifth in the past 12 months and has trebled in three years.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay Award Pending)
Do you want to work in an ambitious Local Authority with strong leadership and partnership commitment to Children’s Services? Durham County Council a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SENDIASS Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen within the busy and fast paced SEND Information, Advice, Support Service (SENDIASS). The service has Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650- £33,483
Class Teacher MPS 1 -2   £31,650- £33,483 Temporary – required from Monday 1st September 2025 (subject to DBS) until 31st August 2026 25 hours per wee Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner