‘The trauma this has caused is unbelievable’ – Council empties vulnerable woman’s home
North Yorkshire Council has been harshly criticised over the way it handled the case of a vulnerable 75-year-old woman in Selby.
Friends of the woman say she was struggling with mental health issues and was a hoarder.
But she was left without food, furniture, a cooker, pots, pans, cutlery and crockery after council contractors did a clear-out.
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Her friends say she only expected rubbish to be removed from the bungalow and to get some help with cleaning.
Jacqui Crossley, from the Coultish Centre in Selby, said the woman was devastated to return home and find so much had been taken.
She added: “She breaks into tears when she thinks about all the things she’s lost – the trauma this has caused is unbelievable.
“The things they removed did not need to go. Why was a brand-new sewing machine, laptop, curtain rails, pictures, ornaments, tinned food, air fryer, pots, pans, cups, cutlery, her collection of over 120 spoons, CDs and her CD player taken?
“They also took her shoes, coats, brass wall clock, even her toilet roll. They took just about every single thing in her bungalow, and she’s still had no apology, offer of compensation or explanation as to why.”
Carpets, curtains and curtain rails were removed. Photograph: Supplied
It is understood the council believed it had the authority to carry out a full house clearance. Jacqui said that the council did return a chair, source some items, including a bed, and give the pensioner a voucher towards new carpet.
But her friends at the community centre were left to provide the other household items she needed.
“Everyone rallied round and donated money or time to get things for her,” she added.
Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright, who represents the Selby West division, visited the woman to see what help he could provide.
He said: “I can accept that the woman was a hoarder and they needed to clear it out, but at no point did the council appear to communicate that with the woman. She was totally unprepared for what she was going back into.
“The way they’ve gone about it is just totally wrong. The crockery and things could have been washed, could have been dealt with, but to leave her without a cup is just wrong.”
In response, North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director for community development, Nic Harne, whose responsibilities include housing, said: “We respect the privacy of our tenants and therefore do not comment on individual cases.
“However, we always aim to act in their best interests.
“We do not take decisions to clear properties lightly and they are only carried out with the tenant’s written consent or through formal enforcement.
“In such instances, we will always try to preserve important belongings, though this may not always be possible due to the nature of the work.
“Where needed, we provide alternative accommodation during the clearance and ensure tenants are not left without essential items, including furniture, when they return.”
Mr Harne said the council also offered ongoing support to help individuals move forward and feel safe and secure in their home.
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