GLENROTHES MSP WELCOMES REDUCTION IN BLUE BADGE BACKLOG

Published date : 11 Jun 2021

Expired Blue Badge holders who have applied for new badge can appeal tickets whilst Fife Council deals with backlog

Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP, Jenny Gilruth, has welcomed an update from Fife Council which advises that they are progressing slowly to reduce their backlog in Blue Badge applications.

In January, Jenny Gilruth MSP secured a guarantee from Fife Council and the Kingdom Centre that no one displaying an expired Blue Badge will be issued with a parking ticket during Covid-19.

Fife Council is currently dealing with a backlog of Blue Badge applications as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The backlog of applications was brought to the Glenrothes MSP’s attention by a constituent who was concerned that several of their elderly neighbours were unable to use the disabled spaces without running the risk of being fined £100.

Fife Council now have an arrangement with their Parking Enforcement team whereby there is a grace period of a month after the badge has expired where the holder will not be issued with a parking ticket in Fife Council car parks and on street parking.

Should a badge holder receive a parking ticket due to their badge being expired, and they have already applied to renew their badge, they can appeal the ticket and Fife Council will uphold the appeal.

The Council currently have a vacancy in their Assessment team which they are in the process of recruiting for.

Commenting on the current Blue Badge situation, Jenny Gilruth MSP said:

‘‘I welcome the update I have received from Fife Council regarding the Blue Badge backlog.

‘‘It is good to know that a grace period is still in place to ensure those who have expired Badges through no fault of their own are not penalised. I would encourage those who have received a ticket through no fault of their own to appeal in the knowledge that this will be upheld.

‘‘I hope that the current vacancy in the Council’s Assessment team is filled quickly so that the hard working team can continue to address the ongoing backlog.”

ENDS

Local Reporters