Angela Green to be evicted from Carshalton home despite 7,000 signatures

11:30am Friday 15th June 2012 in Sutton By James Pepper

Grieving widow Angela Green Grieving widow Angela Green

Sutton Council are not stopping plans to evict a grieving widow from her home despite a 7,000 signature petition to oppose it.

Angela Green, 29, lost her mother to cancer two years ago, then in March her husband Darren Green was killed in a car crash in Mitcham before tragedy struck for a third time weeks later when her father died.

Sutton Housing Partnership (SHP), who manage Mrs Green's home on Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, sent her a letter only a month after her father Jim's death to tell her she has to move out of the home she has lived in her whole life.

At a council meeting this week (Tuesday) councillors agreed the SHP had acted properly in doing so as a council tenancy can only be passed on to a relative once.

Mrs Green, who hopes to foster a child in her family home, said after the meeting the council discussions were "pointless" as the decision had already been made.

A disheartened Mrs Green said: "What is the point in having a 7,000 signature petition if the council still don't listen. The decision had been done, they didn't pay any attention to the petition. I feel like it has been a waste of time in coming.

"We are not giving up. I have never asked the council for anything, all I want to do is stay in the home I have lived in all my life and where I have memories of people I have loved and lost."

SHP has said to Mrs Green she has to move out of her three bedroom house and have offered her a one bedroom flat as an alternative.

At the meeting, Simon Letham, executive head of community living at Sutton Council, said the decision had been made as there was a three year waiting list for three bedroom houses.

He also said it would be "unlikely" Mrs Green would be rehoused before September, but couldn't guarantee the Mrs Green would be rehoused near her remaining family.

Leader of the council Ruth Dombey admitted Mrs Green "had been treated badly" after it emerged council tax bills had been sent to her addressed to her deceased father Jim.

Councillor Jayne McCoy, chairman of economy and business committee on Sutton council, said: "We understand that this is very emotive issue, and have the deepest sympathy for Mrs Green at this unimaginably difficult time.

"We are doing everything we are legally able to do to help Mrs Green and after discussions with SHP we have agreed that she will be given three months from now before any more contact is made about moving to a different property."

Comments(31)

bystander tolworth says...
12:12pm Fri 15 Jun 12

When my father died six years ago Sutton Council threatend to send in the bailiffs to recover his council tax They had not bothered to check their records which clearly showed my dear old Dad paid his tax a year in advance!!!! Useless lot - not a heart amongst them.

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I hope not says...
2:58pm Fri 15 Jun 12

I do really feel sorry for her, but at the end of the day, she does not need a three bedroom house and others do. It's time to move on, the council will never change their mind, they are not in it for sentimental reasons, they are in it to make money and it doesnt matter how many people sign the petition, it won't change it. Best of luck wherever she ends up x

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JoSchmo says...
6:33pm Fri 15 Jun 12

I personally would prefer to get on with my life, and let a family have the house. This is unhealthy and not helping anyone.

I have all sympathy for her, it is a crap situation, but I think she is being unreasonable.

I find it funny the above poster thinks that the council is in it to make money. Really? That's news to me. I thought councils were not-for-profit organisations that we democratically elect, and one of the things they provide us with is subsidised housing to those who need it most.

But if they are renting that place at far below market value, you must be right, they're just in it for the money.

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Jenny82 says...
9:41pm Fri 15 Jun 12

Angela deserves to stay in this house!! She has been treated despicably and comments like these aren't of any comfort either! Why don't you all ask yourselves how you would feel if the 3 people you loved most in the world were taken from you so quickly and shockingly and at such a young age and all you wanted was to stay in your home where you felt most comfortable and the closest to those people. Is it really too much to ask for? squabbling over 1 house who to most (including the council) is just another house mades of bricks and mortar but to Angela is all she has left. 29yrs in a house that you have no rights over=dreadful. There are plenty of council tenants who don't deserve the homes they are in, dont look after them, maintain the gardens, keep them clean etc and yet Angelas being targeted. I think this inspirational woman needs to be left alone to grieve in peace in HER home where she DESERVES to be! I want to wish her all the best & pray that whoever has the final decision makes the right one!

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Binsanity says...
6:51am Sat 16 Jun 12

Hear Hear Jenny82.
It will obviously be no comfort to Angela (bless her) but if she were from Romania, Poland or any other European country, a static "Traveller", or on benefits or suffering from a drug /alcohol related "disease" the council would give her the house for life. I can't put into print my comtempt for the unfeeling previous comments, only to say, you tossers. Angela, good luck mate.

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theavengers says...
9:11am Sat 16 Jun 12

Right as we speak in Sutton we have children in temp accomodation b&b's sleeping on floors and not allowed their own room or more than a few toys. Sympathy should be for those English working families who need a home, not for a girl who is wanting to keep a place she does not own and is too big for her. If her parents wanted her to have a permanent home, don't take one from the council and not buy one of their own. It's not theirs, it's owned by the council. People move, memories can't be taken. She needs grief councilling. People will feel sorry for her but she's offered a 1 bdrm and that's more than a lot of us. I have to pay privately cause there is no places for my family but I get on with it. Life can be about whinging or getting your head around things, making a positive step forward, and starting her life over. She needs somewhere fresh, not a place to linger and feel stuck in depression. The best thing for her could be a new flat, it could actually help her rebuild. She's young, has no children, she needs mental help, not to stay in a home taxpayers are suplimenting. I lost my parents and had to sell their home. It's hard but the best thing is to make sure you have a life and don't live with ghosts. She just needs to get her head sorted and start to feel good about life again.

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Jenny82 says...
6:31pm Sat 16 Jun 12

No ones saying theres not families who need 3 bedroomed houses in sutton but if we were looking at it how you are we could ask everyone who loses someone and becomes on their own to move out of their homes for others. Pensioners, oh well, your partners died, children have grown up, move out of your home to accommodate someone else and we'll stick you where ever we want. I can also bet that alot of these "working families" that are in temp accommodation are still having children though knowing that they are struggling but hoping to be moved along the list if another child comes along. We could bring up all kinds of scenarios but at the end of the day Angela should be given the choice whether to stay in her home or not. As said in the story above she would love to foster children and bring them up in her happy family home which is so familiar to her. She would need more than a 1 bedroomed flat to do this anyway!! I just hope that you wouldn't ever be in a situation that required peoples compassion and a helping hand because its not a nice place to be in. She doesn't need mental help, shes gone through more than most people and needs time, family, support and if necessary bereavement councilling. Keep fighting Angela!! xx

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Jenny82 says...
6:53pm Sat 16 Jun 12

EVENTUALLY!!! In the future she would like to give a child a chance in life & offer them what she had. No one said right this minute. She needs time, love, support & hopefully she could do it in the future. She has a lot of love to give and would be fantastic. She has the compassion, love, sympathetic ear and a good heart.

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Binsanity says...
7:04pm Sat 16 Jun 12

Tubby Jim says.
What the hell do you know what this lady sould or should not want. "She should not be thinking about fostering children". Do you know anything about her to make such a ridiculous statement. The "blind" comments of people like you make me reel. Know your facts before commenting in future, you small minded little person.

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Jenny82 says...
7:17pm Sat 16 Jun 12

Small minded? really? you should look at your comments. This lady is a good friend of one of mine,she has a kind heart and needs a break in life-surely shes owed this? Caring for a dying mother and father and never asking for anything and tragically losing her husband and yet you think its exceptable to say she should be moved out of her family home as quick as that. Terrible!! These comments should be to show support, do you think that reading things that are so upsetting is helpful?

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Binsanity says...
7:29pm Sat 16 Jun 12

Jenny82, I think you have the wrong end of the stick. I was replying to a comment made by Tubby Jim not your comment. Please read again and i think you will realise how pro Angela i am. Take care mate.

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Jenny82 says...
7:36pm Sat 16 Jun 12

yh I know, sorry, none of my comments have been directed at yours, apologies if you thought. I don't want to argue with anyone on this subject but feel very strongly for Angela. Shes showed such courage & just needs to be left alone now. x

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Binsanity says...
7:41pm Sat 16 Jun 12

Jenny, you sound like a good mate, Angela's in good company.
Cheers.

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JoSchmo says...
7:42pm Sat 16 Jun 12

I think you've proved my point Jenny. You are emotionally involved in this, and thinking about it from a biased point of view, which is entirely human and compassionate, and I am glad that these feelings still exist in the world.

Organisations like local and national government, however, are basically employed precisely for the opposite reason. They have to manage things for the good of everyone in an objective, unbiased, logical way. Can you imagine if they acted on every plea they had? Do you understand how many people in council houses die each year?

It's like when someone dies in an accident on a main road, and the family insist on leaving flowers there for years afterwards. I don't mean a small bunch, I mean tons of flowers. What gives them the right? It's not their land, everyone has to use it, and if we all started laying flowers on the spot where everyone died, then the roads of Britain would soon be full of them. They already have a gravestone for that purpose.

But because, once again, people have to skirt around the issue or ignore it completely through fear of being accused of being a monster (or getting bad press in the Guardian). The same applies - we all sympathise, we really do, but grief has an appropriate time and place, and it is not fair to inflict it on everyone else.

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JoSchmo says...
7:45pm Sat 16 Jun 12

theavengers summed up everything I've been trying to say, but much better.

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Jenny82 says...
8:16pm Sat 16 Jun 12

Can I just say, I'm not involved emotionally. I have my views the same as you and if it wasn't Angela and it was someone else who had been through what she has I would feel the same. Councils should assess these cases individually not as a whole. Its the lack of compassion that has been shown to her also. Since losing her loved ones shes had no time to grieve properly and has had to focus all her energy in to securing her home that she has lived in for 29years not 5minutes.
You will all have your opinions as I do mine but all I will say is if unforeseen circumstances in your lives happen that you have no control of lets hope your fate doesn't lie with SHP or anyone else like them because you won't be offered help, compassion or time to digest whats happened and will be on the receiving end of more heartache.

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1978_ leigh says...
11:51pm Sat 16 Jun 12

I Never realised there was so many heartless nasty disrespectful ppl, Everyone is entitled to an opinion but when it is darn rgt nasty n uncalled for then that is different.!! Im not even going to waste my time on some of you as u rlly havnt a clue what this lady is going through, but one thing i will say hope you are all plzed with your comments as u havnt a clue what this lady goes through day in day out, Ask yourself if u was in this postion how would u feel cause im sure it be EXACTLY The same, im ashamed to think that there are so many cold hearted JELOUSE ppl out there n lets hope u NEVER Have to spend a day in her shoes cause then u would know what lonely n wanting to stay in the one place she know best is..!!GROW UP U SELFISH Ppl n think about her feelings a young lady who lost 3 ppl she loved so much and feels her life isnt going nywhere yet.! Dont take away the one thing that keeps her going.!! Carry on fighting Ange for what you deserve cause as some1 said above if u was from another country they wouldnt be hastling you.!! SHP ARE A DISGRACE...!!!!!!!!!
!! Big hugs hunny dont give up without a fight im behind you all the way..!! xxx

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1978_ leigh says...
12:02am Sun 17 Jun 12

JoSchmo wrote:
I think you've proved my point Jenny. You are emotionally involved in this, and thinking about it from a biased point of view, which is entirely human and compassionate, and I am glad that these feelings still exist in the world.

Organisations like local and national government, however, are basically employed precisely for the opposite reason. They have to manage things for the good of everyone in an objective, unbiased, logical way. Can you imagine if they acted on every plea they had? Do you understand how many people in council houses die each year?

It's like when someone dies in an accident on a main road, and the family insist on leaving flowers there for years afterwards. I don't mean a small bunch, I mean tons of flowers. What gives them the right? It's not their land, everyone has to use it, and if we all started laying flowers on the spot where everyone died, then the roads of Britain would soon be full of them. They already have a gravestone for that purpose.

But because, once again, people have to skirt around the issue or ignore it completely through fear of being accused of being a monster (or getting bad press in the Guardian). The same applies - we all sympathise, we really do, but grief has an appropriate time and place, and it is not fair to inflict it on everyone else.
Have u actually lost nyone tragically?????? as if u have im supprised cause u sound very cold hearted.!! i dont wanna row with you cause u rlly are not worth my anger but just think before u say cold hearted uncalled for remarks.!! Grief has no time limit n no one has a rgt to tell others how to mourn there loved ones.!!! Every person is Different some like to go where they passed n some like to go to there grave, EVERY SINGLE PERSON IS DIFFERENT!!have a heart n keep your horrible comments to yourself!

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Tubby Jim says...
8:08am Sun 17 Jun 12

it seems utter madness that one of the reasons you folks are campaigning about is that it would be appropriate for her to keep her big 3 bedroom council house is that she may "foster" some time in the future.Lunacy

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TheEverardedbutt says...
11:06am Sun 17 Jun 12

Jenny82 wrote:
Angela deserves to stay in this house!! She has been treated despicably and comments like these aren't of any comfort either! Why don't you all ask yourselves how you would feel if the 3 people you loved most in the world were taken from you so quickly and shockingly and at such a young age and all you wanted was to stay in your home where you felt most comfortable and the closest to those people. Is it really too much to ask for? squabbling over 1 house who to most (including the council) is just another house mades of bricks and mortar but to Angela is all she has left. 29yrs in a house that you have no rights over=dreadful. There are plenty of council tenants who don't deserve the homes they are in, dont look after them, maintain the gardens, keep them clean etc and yet Angelas being targeted. I think this inspirational woman needs to be left alone to grieve in peace in HER home where she DESERVES to be! I want to wish her all the best & pray that whoever has the final decision makes the right one!
but thats the point isnt it?

It is NOT HER HOME!!

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Likkle says...
11:55am Sun 17 Jun 12

The main point of this article is about Mrs Green's housing situation NOT her mental health! I think its a bit bad taste to be actually discussing someones mental health in a newspaper. This discussion should be about the housing and that only. Mrs Green's health concerns are for her to deal with and comment on, not people that are reading an article and getting into a argument with those close to her. It's pathetic, grow up some of you! Yes i understand that she has lost her loved ones, and in a rather unfortunate time frame, BUT the house is not hers and she has been offered alternative accomodation. SHP are not sitting there rubbing there hands together and targetting Mrs Green throughout all of this, they are following protocal. Go to any other borough and it is the same. I do feel very sorry for Mrs Green, but at the end of the day she's not being thrown out onto the street, she is being put into smaller accomodation. Yes there are memories in that house, but there are more memories in photos and keep sakes then bricks and mortar, thats just the storage facility.

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1978_ leigh says...
2:09pm Sun 17 Jun 12

One other thing Dont you also think its strange there a few on here that disagree but 7000 AGREE Surely that should tell you that she is being treated unfairly..!! Dont want a row with ny off you all im saying is have a heart and unless your going to say something of interest about the article then keep your opinions to yourself.!! She has been through enough without u lot being darn rgt disrespectful and nasty, Have a heart surely somewhere in your body u have one so maybe start using it and put yourself in her shoes.! Imagine u woke up n your world was turned upside down everything u ever loved snatched away from u how would u cope?? hmmm see bet none of u can imagine that cause i for one wouldnt want to but at the same time i also have concideration n feeling for other who are less unfortunate to be going through this rough time..!!!!!

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Eeyore79 says...
6:31pm Sun 17 Jun 12

Well i think you ALL need to read the article again and understand it, as i can not see how any of you can come to the conclusion that Mrs Green has "mental health issues" the issue is a 7000 signature petition has had no reflect on SHP's decision to carry on with the eviction. SHP have to follow the rules and regulations understandably however surely they could have allowed Mrs Green some time maybe a few months to grieve a bit before springing this on her. I appreciate that there are MANY families waiting for a 3 bed house in the borough and those on the waiting list i'm sure wont even get this particular house in question as it will go to "someone more needy than those on the list" However from what i understand Mrs Green has lost her husband and father within 4 weeks of each other and not had a chance to grieve for them yet, let alone part with their personal possessions. by being evicted so soon after is not a good idea or healthy for anyone who is grieving. you cannot put a time frame on grieving but eviction after 4 weeks of losing her 3rd loved one is awful! Unfortunately i cant see how Mrs Green will be able to keep the property but come on SHP give her a grace period before putting the eviction notice in motion. I wish Mrs Green all the luck in the world and my condolences too . To the spineless people on here put your negative attitude into something else that i do not have to read in future please!

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Irenic says...
9:51pm Sun 17 Jun 12

Just to clarify Sutton Council are the landlords of the house in question and they employ SHP to manage/administrate the tenancy. SHP are their arms length management organisation. (ALMO)

Social Landlords must fulfil their statutory obligations on succession claims following the death of a tenant. Regrettably those rights to succeed the tenancy have been exhausted and it would be unlawful for the council to give Mrs Green a tenancy.  This is all set out in the Housing Act and is not a local policy of the Council.

SHP have no say in this they simply manage the tenancy and are required to prepare the prescribed notices etc. It's not a nice job to do especially in these tragic circumstances.  If Mrs Green was to stay put the Council will need to make a claim for possession through the courts. SHP have to present case for the landlord and they would need to tell the courts why they are taking such  action, showing the court how they have served the correct notices etc.  

Judges have no discretion in these claims however there has recently been  a handful of defences made by unsuccessful  successors who have counter claimed that Article 8 of their Humans Rights "respect for private life, family life and the home," has been breached. 

When this occurs the landlord must show the court  it's aim is proportionate. In these cases the proportionality rests with the issue of under occupation and the local housing need for three bedroom accommodation. As people have correctly said the local demand is astronomical.

What I'm trying to say is that this decision is not one SHP or LBS can change. if Mrs Green is likely to become homeless the Council usually have discretionary options to offer a property suited to her housing need in terms of accommodation size. I understand they are prepared to make this offer.

It is fantastic that so many people have been touched by the plight of Mrs Green. The petition clearly shows a lot of people feel angry about the potential outcome however they are misguided to think this is the landlords decision.  

If Mrs Green has not already sought legal advice she should do so as quickly as possible.

The petitioners may want to look up some of the proposals that are in the recent coalition Localism Bill because it contains measures for fixed term tenancies within social housing. This will effectively mean the end of tenancies for life,  - that is for new tenants. 

I wish Mrs Green the very best. 

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Giles C says...
10:46am Mon 18 Jun 12

The problem with this country is the number of individuals who think that everything is about entitlement.
This lady has been through a bad bad time but that is different to her being entitled to something she has no legal right to. From the top to the bottom of the country entitlement is ruining it and this is just another sorry tale of it.

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Jenny82 says...
12:08pm Mon 18 Jun 12

I think you all have too much time on your hands worrying about one woman who doesn't deserve the nasty, juvenile comments I see before me. What has anyones Grammar got to do with this story? The point is no one living in a council house owns it but it becomes their home when they take up residence in it. This has been her home for 29yrs, everything she knows is in that house. Ok, Angela may not be able to stay in her home but saying she needs mental help, pack your bags or any other uncalled for remarks are just plain disrespectful and ignorant. Next week should be her 1st wedding anniversary, instead it won't be a time of celebration it will be a reminder of what she was doing this time last year, planning a wedding with the man of her dreams. Ok, she may not need a 3 bedroom house right this minute but it wasn't long ago when those bedrooms where occupied by her loved ones, loved ones shes now trying to grieve for in a dignified manner. It wouldn't matter if there were 1,2 or 3 bedrooms in that house to Angela, just the fact that its her home. Your all so busy worrying about 1 bloody council house & haven't considered this woman in any of your hurtful comments.Trying to score one over on the last person whose written things you've not agreed with. Why don't you all leave your comments now, you've made your opinions clear enough.

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1978_ leigh says...
12:43pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Jenny82 wrote:
I think you all have too much time on your hands worrying about one woman who doesn't deserve the nasty, juvenile comments I see before me. What has anyones Grammar got to do with this story? The point is no one living in a council house owns it but it becomes their home when they take up residence in it. This has been her home for 29yrs, everything she knows is in that house. Ok, Angela may not be able to stay in her home but saying she needs mental help, pack your bags or any other uncalled for remarks are just plain disrespectful and ignorant. Next week should be her 1st wedding anniversary, instead it won't be a time of celebration it will be a reminder of what she was doing this time last year, planning a wedding with the man of her dreams. Ok, she may not need a 3 bedroom house right this minute but it wasn't long ago when those bedrooms where occupied by her loved ones, loved ones shes now trying to grieve for in a dignified manner. It wouldn't matter if there were 1,2 or 3 bedrooms in that house to Angela, just the fact that its her home. Your all so busy worrying about 1 bloody council house & haven't considered this woman in any of your hurtful comments.Trying to score one over on the last person whose written things you've not agreed with. Why don't you all leave your comments now, you've made your opinions clear enough.
Totally agree. My heart goes out to Ange and these Disrespectful individuals are more interested in her Mental health, her adopting a child,and my Grammar just goes to show there mentality really..!!! There comments are darn right nasty and i for one will stick up for Ange she does not deserve this abuse and hurtful comments, she deserves to be able to grieve in peace on her own and try to come to terms with this horrible Nightmare. Im trying my hardest not to reply but certain things mentioned are absolutely disgusting, personal and horrible and noone deserves that least of all Ange.!!

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Jenny82 says...
12:58pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Couldn't agree with you more Leigh! Best to ignore the disrespectful, uncalled for comments. They obviously have nothing better to do with their time other than trying to cause unnecessary hurt. Angela knows the support she has behind her and a 7000 petition goes to show that not everyone in the borough sees things so narrow mindly.

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1978_ leigh says...
1:33pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Jenny82 wrote:
Couldn't agree with you more Leigh! Best to ignore the disrespectful, uncalled for comments. They obviously have nothing better to do with their time other than trying to cause unnecessary hurt. Angela knows the support she has behind her and a 7000 petition goes to show that not everyone in the borough sees things so narrow mindly.
I Just wished i could ignore them but some off them are just Darn right nasty and personal.! They can say what they like about me but Angela dosnt need this and as you said 7000 ppl support Angela and we are all that matters.!! Tubby jim obviously is deliberately trying to wind us up and sadly the last comment about Angela causing problems strangely enough made me laugh, Such a sad individual that has no life funny that as Angela has 7000 ppl supporting her and will ALWAYS Support her and that as far as i can see is no trouble maker..!! And Angela if you do happen to read this please hunny remember the 7000 and not the few on here that are horrible creatures. (TROLLS)

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Giles C says...
1:48pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Just because 7000 ppl are supporting Angela it doesnt necessarily make it right.
There is almost a bullying aspect here towards the council but i repeat what i said earlier that the council are bound by legislation that if they break leaves them open to legal challenge by others in similar positions or by those on the waiting list who feel that the council arent following legal statute.
So whilst i have every sympathy with Angela i am afraid she is not going to win this and she is better off in my opinion cutting the best deal she can with the council for another property in as good an area and as good a condition as she can.

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Jenny82 says...
8:45pm Mon 18 Jun 12

Very well put Stephie86! :)

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