A ‘heads-up’ for blue badge holders

Blue badge holders are being warned not to be caught out after it was revealed that reminders to renew will not be sent out by the county council this year.

In a cost cutting measure, Powys County Council (PCC) said it is now up to the individual holder to check their renewal dates themselves, or potentially lose their parking privileges.

The blue badges have featured in the news a lot this year, with the county council floating various ideas to cut costs including charging for parking in council run car parks.

But they were all binned so this latest measure has been introduced to shave off a few pounds from the cost.

However, the Liberal Democrat and Green Group on PCC has asked that the Independent/Conservative Ruling Group re-think this decision.

Cllr James Gibson-Watt, Leader of the Lib Dem/Greens, said: “In the first place, I want to make sure that Blue Badge holders are aware that reminder letters will no longer be sent.

“The change doesn’t seem to have been advertised properly and there is a real risk that people’s permits will expire without them realising. I’m also urging the Cabinet to reconsider this change.

“Concerns have been raised with me about what the changes will mean for Blue Badge holders, it may become an unnecessary barrier that prevents people who need help from getting it.”

A spokesperson for PCC said: “We no longer send out reminders due to the costs associated with posting out the reminder letters. It is up to the blue badge holder to ensure that they have a valid blue badge, which has the expiry date printed on the badge.”

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter