Barnet Council will consult residents as they revise criteria for disable people’s bus passes following a controversial error which saw 230 passes wrongfully withdrawn.

At a policy & resources committee meeting in Hendon town hall on September 1, a review of the 2015 Pass renewal process read that “residents were not informed that their eligibility would be retrospectively checked when their passes were originally issued in 2015.”

Holders of the freedom pass, which allows free bus travel around London, were not given warning their passes could be deactivated when they were issued last year.

A total of 51 disabled people who submitted claims have received financial compensation of up to £6,952, and the council has “apologised unreservedly” for causing distress to everyone affected.

Now the council is trying to improve the way new applicants and existing Disabled Persons Freedom Pass holders are assessed to see if they qualify for a pass.

SEE ALSO: Council apologises for disabled bus pass farce

Consultation on the revised criteria will run from September 26 until November 4 2016 and is open to all Barnet residents, anybody currently holding a freedom pass in Barnet, their carers and families, community groups, and voluntary organisations.

The proposals include more ways to provide evidence to support applications, looking at the ways people can apply for a Disabled Persons Freedom Pass and making documents more accessible for all users.

Changes will not affect the Older Persons Freedom Pass criteria which allow older people to travel for free around London.

Chairman for the environment committee, Cllr Dean Cohen said: “The revised criteria has been drawn up after working closely with specialists in this area.

“We will be consulting with a number of disability charities to make sure we are giving a better quality, and more effective service to all our users.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to provide their feedback.”

Those wishing to assist in the consultation can call 020 8359 5640 or email fpfeedback@barnet.gov.uk for more information.

The consultation is also available online here.

Is this a move towards improvement or are the council covering their tracks? Have your say in the comments.