“A VICTORY for commonsense”.

That’s how a decision to finally grant Otley Action for Older People a disabled parking badge has been hailed following a U-turn by Leeds City Council.

The charity’s minibus has been helping older residents in Otley, Pool-in-Wharfedale and Arthington to get out and about for years.

But the service was facing an uncertain future after the council refused both the charity’s bid to have its Blue Badge renewed and a subsequent appeal.

Now an intervention by the executive member for Adult Social Care, Cllr Adam Ogilvie (Lab, Beeston and Holbeck), has ended the uncertainty.

He said: “We’ve been getting representations on this issue from OAOP and other organisations around the city so I was really keen we take another look at the policy.

“Organisations like OAOP are helping people to get out and interact with other people and that’s really at the heart of what we’re trying to do as a city.

“It’s my view that common sense should prevail and that we should revise our policy so organisations like this are eligible for a Blue Badge.”

He added that changes to the national guidelines for issuing the badges, introduced by the government in 2011, had created confusion.

OAOP’s project manager, Sue Trainor, said: “I’m absolutely delighted – not just for ourselves but for all the other organisations like us.

“I’m so pleased that it’s not just us getting the badge, but also a change in policy.”

Local politicians were also satisfied.

Cllr Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) said: “I am so pleased that the continuous pressure we brought to bear gave us the result OAOP needed.

“I couldn’t understand why the council had dug in and were refusing local charities Blue Badges.

“Therefore I wrote to the executive member responsible who has assured me this decision will extend to all organisations that transport older people, which is very welcome.

“Now OAOP’s volunteers can get back to the important work they do, helping our elderly get out and about.”

Otley Town Council leader Cllr John Eveleigh said: “As the former chairman of OAOP and as a current trustee of the organisation, I know at first-hand the valuable work carried out.

“It is a real lifeline service, and had the original decision stood, it would have seriously affected our ability to carry out the full range of services.

“I would like to thank Cllr Ogilvie for intervening in this matter.”