I'm so sorry, but we have lost! Waverley is totally Tory and it wasn't even debated!

David Beaman, Chair of South West Surrey Disabled Alliance Network, stated that he was “disappointed but not surprised” that Waverley Borough Council’s Executive Committee decided at its meeting last night (Tuesday 5th September) to approve the introduction of parking charges for blue badge holders. There was no debate as, despite all the evidence submitted during the consultation period by South West Surrey Disabled Alliance Network and other organisations and the on line petition that had been signed by nearly 700 people, the four recommendations were approved with only one modification that the criteria for the free permit scheme was extended to include people on any income related benefit in addition to those receiving the lower and higher rate of Attendance Allowance, the higher rate of Personal Independence Payment and the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance. The decision was taken in front of a significant number of disabled people including a number of wheelchair users who will be affected who witnessed “democracy in action” with no debate – indeed the entire meeting which included a number of other matters was finished within 20 minutes. David Beaman stated that the lack of debate was characteristic of a Council that was overwhelmingly dominated by one political party (the Conservatives holding 51 of the 57 council seats) and that many other important issues were decided without debate on a regular basis. The South West Surrey Disabled Alliance Network will, however, continue to campaign to ensure that :- Every effort is made to ensure that all disabled people who live in Waverley are fully aware of the criteria regarding the issue of free permits and those entitled are encouraged to apply; That the promise by Waverley to provide access ramps to at least one parking meter nearest the designated disabled parking bays is completed at the earliest opportunity; and That every effort is made to investigate other payment options based on new technolog David Beaman added that South West Surrey understood and appreciated the difficult financial position faced by Waverley Borough Council which was a situation being experienced by all local authorities and that the introduction of parking charges for blue badge holders was likely to be followed elsewhere with Royal Surrey County Hospital having announced a proposal to introduce parking charges for holders of blue badges from 1st October. The implementation of parking charges for blue badge holders which are a national scheme should, however, be consistent and South West Surrey Disabled Alliance Network will be asking Waverley Borough Council to joint it in campaigning for Central Government to introduce national guidelines for the issue of and charging for parking by blue badge holders to avoid the confusion that will be caused by the introduction of different charging schemes by various authorities.