“YOU’RE WRONG”. That is the blunt message Otley’s MP has delivered to Leeds City Council over its decision to refuse a Blue Badge to a charity.

Otley Action for Older People (OAOP) has relied on a disabled parking badge for years to help its minibus transport often very frail or disabled people door-to-door.

Last week Leeds City Council told the group its bid to renew the badge had failed - and blamed the decision on a “change in national policy” which meant badges could only be issued to individuals.

Now MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) has hit back by insisting the local authority has “misinterpreted the rules”.

He said: “I have written to Leeds City Council urging them to review their decision.

“Contrary to what the council have said, the official guidance from government is clear that Blue Badges can indeed be assigned to organisations like Otley Action for Older Continued on page two Continued from page one People.

“The charity provides a much-valued local service, and clearly the guidance has not been interpreted properly.

“So I very much hope the council are able to reverse their decision before the charity’s current Blue Badge expires on February 5.”

The city council told this newspaper last week that the national guideline changes meant it was “unable to automatically issue Blue Badges to vehicles as they must now be assigned to individuals.”

Mr Mulholland, however, has found a specific section in an official Department for Transport document, The Blue Badge Scheme, Local Authority Guidance (England), which appears to contradict that.

It says: “An organisational badge may be issued to an organisation for use in a motor vehicle or vehicles when the vehicle or vehicles are to be used to carry disabled people who would themselves be eligible for a badge.”

The decision not to renew the Blue Badge for one of the area’s most respected charities was branded “barmy” by many local councillors, who are also demanding a rethink.

Leeds is reviewing an appeal by the charity but that process is expected to take some time - and the charity’s current badge runs out today.

Its minibus was bought as a disabled passenger vehicle and project manager Sue Trainor says having a Blue Badge has proven vital in allowing the charity to safely transport some of Otley, Pool-in-Wharfedale and Arthington’s “frailest and most vulnerable adults”.

Vehicles displaying a badge are allowed to park in many restricted areas, so drivers with disabilities can get as close as possible to their destinations.