The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has upheld a complaint against Ealing Council after it refused a resident’s application for a Blue Badge, finding fault in how the council considered her appeal.
The complaint was brought by a woman referred to as Mrs X, who said Labour-run Ealing Council had failed to take account of all her medical conditions when assessing her eligibility for the disabled parking permit. She told the Ombudsman she relies on family members to take her to medical appointments and that her mobility had deteriorated due to problems with her leg.
In its decision, published last month (1 December 2025), the Ombudsman said the council’s appeal response listed evidence provided by Mrs X but did not demonstrate how that evidence had been assessed. This created avoidable uncertainty about whether the additional information she submitted had been properly considered.
The Ombudsman asked the council to remedy the injustice by carrying out a further review of the appeal. Ealing Council agreed to complete a new assessment within one month and to explain its reasons in writing if the appeal is again unsuccessful.
An Ealing Council spokesperson said: “We apologise for our failings in this case. We will carry out another review of the individual’s Blue Badge appeal and if their appeal is unsuccessful we will let them know why.”
The spokesperson added that supporting residents with extra needs was a priority and that the council was committed to making its Blue Badge assessments fair, consistent and transparent.
