Meetings

The petition was considered alongside Item 3.1 -  P-06-1258 Make individuals in Wales with Hidden disabilities eligible for the Blue Badge

The Committee considered the petitions and noted the high level of interest in the issue of Blue Badges. The Chair also highlighted the request for a debate and the substantial number of responses to the survey conducted by STAND North Wales.

Members recognised the significant progress already made on the matter and noted that the petitions have been open for a considerable time. They agreed that, as the petitions had not met the threshold for a debate, it would be difficult to justify seeking a debate at this stage.

The Committee concluded that the most appropriate way forward would be to include the issues in the Committee’s legacy report for continued monitoring. Members agreed it was now appropriate to thank the petitioners for their considerable efforts and the progress already achieved, noting that the issue is likely to continue receiving attention in the future. The Committee therefore agreed to close the petitions.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed that significant outstanding concerns remain, as highlighted in STAND North Wales’ survey findings. Members agreed to keep the petition open, share the survey findings with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip, and to request an update. The petition would be kept open pending a response.

The Committee also expressed thanks to STAND North Wales, the parents, and everyone involved in contributing to this work.

In addition, it was agreed to forward the survey findings to the Welsh Local Government Association.

It was noted that this petition had been under consideration for some time, and a number of meetings had taken place on the issue, which cut across several cabinet portfolios. The Committee agreed that enough information was available to draft and agree a 1-2 page report with recommendations to the Welsh Government, and to then thank the petitioner and close the petition.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write to the Local Government Association to ask them to raise the concerns highlighted by this petition and seek clarity about the delivery of the blue badge scheme.

Jack Sargeant MS declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A:

He has met with the petitioners on occasions and is very supportive of the premise of the petition.

The Committee considered the petition and noted the recent correspondence received form Mark Isherwoord MS.

Members agreed to take time to reflect on the correspondence received and write back to the Deputy Minister for Climate Change with the questions raised from the petitioner and, the letter received from Mark Isherwood MS.

Jack Sargeant MS declared the following relevant interest under Standing Order 17.24A:

He has met with the petitioner before on a separate issue.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write back to the Minister, to provide the petitioners comments and to ask for a response to the questions raised.

Members also agreed to ask the research service regarding whether there are plans for blue badges being used as a form of ID to vote in elections.