Campaign to scrap Blue Badge fee hit by Highland Council knockback ahead of crunch budget meeting
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A CAMPAIGNER for Blue Badge fees to be scrapped across Scotland has vowed to carry on after councillors agreed they should remain in place in the Highlands.
An online petition started by Danielle Morrall, calling for the abolition of the £20 reapplication fee, has been signed by more than 31,000 supporters.
The Blue Badge offers greater parking access for disabled drivers who qualify.
It was considered by Highland Council’s communities and places committee which will recommend the council keeps the fee –which has to be paid every three years – when it meets next Thursday to decide the budget.
They were told that scrapping it would represent a loss of £53,000 in recovery costs.
But Ms Morrall, of Kirkhill, said she would carry on with the campaign, maintaining the fee was unethical and unfair to disabled people.
“Obviously I am disappointed at the initial decision,” she said.
“I hope the budget meeting will take a different view.
“I will writing again to councillors to try and explain why a fee should not be charged.”
Speaking during the meeting, Inverness South councillor Duncan Macpherson said the charge was a cost recovery for administration of the Blue Badge scheme and not a profiteering scheme by the council from anyone’s disabilities.
“If we abolish it, the cost would have to be absorbed from another channel,” said Cllr Macpherson who felt the system helped to prevent fraudulent abuse.
Black Isle councillor Gordon Adam acknowledged it was tough for people with long-term disabilities and understood their frustration.
But he said the council was hard pressed and felt £20 every three years not an enormous amount for the benefits it gave.
Dumfries and Galloway is the only one of 32 Scottish councils not to charge.
