Blue badge privacy notice

The aim of the scheme is to help people with severe mobility problems caused by visible and non-visible ('hidden') disabilities to access goods and services, by allowing them to park close to their destination. The scheme is open to eligible people irrespective of whether they are travelling as a driver or as a passenger. 

This notice explains what personal data (information) we hold about you, how we collect it, how we use it and who we may share your information with. 

Why we need your information and how we use it

If we didn't ask for and use your information then it wouldn't be possible to carry out our statutory functions and process your application or provide you with a Blue Badge. We'll use your information to: 

• process your application 
• manage any Blue Badge misuse or fraud 
• analyse the use of the Blue Badge scheme 

The legal basis for us to process your information 

Data Protection Legislation sets out the lawful basis for processing personal data. 

We've statutory functions to process applications in terms of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons' Act 1970 (opens new window) and The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) England Regulations 2000.   (opens new window)

In this case, as a public authority we gather and process information necessary to allow us to undertake our legal duties in line with our public task and statutory functions. 

Where we process special categories (sensitive) of personal information about you, the processing is necessary for the purposes of carrying out obligations and exercising specific rights of the controller or of the data subject in the field of social protection law as set out in Article 9(2) (b) of the GDPR (opens new window) and meets a condition in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Data Protection Act 2018 (opens new window). 

Why you need to provide your information 

Without the correct information we might not be able to confirm who you are and therefore discuss information relating to any services we provide via the Blue Badge scheme. It's important that we hold accurate and up to date information.  If any details have changed or change in the future, you should inform us so that we can update our records and ensure that they remain accurate. 

How we collect information about you 

Most of the information we hold about you will come from you as an individual. Some of the information may come from other departments.  

Such information includes: 

• Title 
• Name 
• Current address 
• Date of birth 
• Gender 
• National Insurance number 
• Your photograph 
• Contact details such as telephone numbers and email addresses for issuing of reminder renewal notifications 
• Person and residence proofs you provide - we'll keep a secure note of the proofs you provide 
• Eligibility proofs - proof of eligibility entitlement 
• Desk Based Assessment (DBA) if you don't qualify for a badge automatically 
• Independent Mobility Assessment (IMA) if you're needed to attend 

How long we keep your information 

We will not keep your information for longer than is necessary. In some instances, the law sets the length of time information has to be kept. We will delete information held about you for the purpose of obtained a blue badge after three years.  

Who your information is shared with  

Your information will be shared with the following organisations to process your application:  

• Valtech Limited - who deliver the Blue Badge service on behalf of the Department for Transport 

We'll also share your information within our other services and bodies responsible for the following purposes: 

• auditing or administering of public funds 
• to detect fraud and for the prevention of crime 
• to protect the integrity of the Blue Badge scheme 
• to investigate any potential misuse of a Blue Badge 

Your rights 

Depending on why we need to process your information you'll have rights to how your information is used. More information about your rights, including the circumstances in which they apply, can be found within our main Corporate privacy notice - Gateshead Council 

If you've concerns about the processing of your personal data by us, you can contact our Data Protection Officer DPOcouncil@gateshead.gov.uk or call 0191 433 3000. 

For independent advice about data protection, privacy, and data sharing, visit the Information Commissioners office (opens new window) 

Need this statement in a different format 

Please contact us if you need this information in an alternative format. 

Review 

This notice will be kept under regular review and was last updated on the 1 July 2022. 

How you can access, update or correct your information

The Data Protection law gives you the right to apply for a copy of information about yourself. This is called a 'Subject Access Request'. To find out more about how to make a Subject Access Request visit the data protection page.

The accuracy of your information is important to us to be able to provide relevant services more quickly. We are working to make our record keeping more efficient. In the meantime, if you change your address or email address, or if any of your circumstances change or any of the other information we hold is inaccurate or out of date, please contact us. 

Protecting your information

For more information, please see our privacy notice.