THURROCK Council appears to have made a massive U-Turn and apologised to an 80-year-old woman who they threatened with court action and told they would force their way into her home!

The story unfolded today (Tuesday, 28 April) after Thurrock Nub News was contacted by the woman's son, who lives with her at a home in Oakway, Stifford Clays.

His mother is classified as a vulnerable, shielded person, and as such under social distancing and lockdown guidance should only have contact with her son and no-one else should enter her home.

Some weeks ago they received notice that a routine boiler inspection was scheduled but, because of lockdown, the son, on behalf of mum, said 'please can we postpone it.'

This is in adherence with government guidelines which say all such visits should be put off 'unless there is a direct danger to the resident'. Thurrock Council has also repeatedly announced it has cancelled routine maintenance calls.

And the authority repeats, almost on a daily basis, that it is following government guidelines.

While the son and his mum, who we have chosen not to name, appreciate the necessity for regular boiler inspections, there does not appear to be an immediate risk in this instance.

He told us: "The boiler is working perfectly and there is no issue. If there was a problem we would let the council know.

"However, a couple of weeks ago a contractor from Aaron Services, which I understand is an authorised company that carries out work on behalf of the council, turned up and demanded to be let in.

"He had no mask or protective kit and we felt we were within our rights to deny access. The man threatened mum with 'legal action' but left."

Following the visit the son contacted Aaron Services' head office and said he does not believe it appropriate for a contractor to be entering the house at this point in time, particularly as his mother is 'shielded'. He says he has had no response from the company.

A few days later a letter on blue paper was put through the door saying she had to contact the council. The son did that on his mother's behalf and explained the reasons why they were reluctant to let someone in.

He did say that if a contractor was to come in, they would be prepared to let that happen, provided he/she was wearing a mask, gloves and could guarantee they were not putting mum at risk.

He was told they had to let an engineer in and that was unconditional, there was no reference to any protective clothing being used.

Letter threatened legal action

He told Thurrock Nub News he told the council if there was not going to be a guarantee of at least an attempt to wear protective kit, he did not want the contractor coming in.

Last week this mother received a letter threatening legal action, telling her the council will apply for a warrant to force entry into her home and that her tenancy is now at risk because she is a 'statutory nuisance'.

The son says this left her scared and worried and he was appalled at the way the council appeared to be acting without consideration of her health and her and his concerns.

Thurrock Nub News immediately contacted Thurrock Council, asking how and why this situation had come about and why was guidance it was giving out to the public, not being followed?

Within a couple of hours of our call the son tells us a member of staff from Thurrock Council's Housing team had contacted them, and profusely apologised for the action that has been taken and telling him that at no point would legal action have been taken.

The boiler check has now been rearranged for twelve weeks' time and the council says it will be supplying the home with a carbon monoxide meter as a check just in case there are any problems with the boiler in the interim.

"Mum will be able to sleep tonight "

He told us: "I am extremely grateful for you taking an interest in this case. You got action in hours when they wouldn't listen to what we had to say. Thanks to Thurrock Nub News my mum will be able to sleep tonight, instead of worrying that the council are going to force their way into our home."

Other than acknowledging our original contact, Thurrock Council has not responded to Thurrock Nub News nor answered any of the several questions we posed.

"However, " says editor Neil Speight. "That's not really the point, the good thing is the council has done the right thing and even if it is appalling that it got to this stage, we are pleased the right things has been done.

"Hopefully this is a one-off case but if anyone has any other similar concerns please get in touch."

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic Thurrock Council has never been far from criticism over the way it has managed its staff and dealt with safety issues. This has included a collision with the Unite union after it conceded workers had been put in 'harm's way.'

Among the stories we have reported are:

Council under fire for sending contractors into homes to check water supply.

Routine repair work halted

Council concedes after union gets tough

Union threatens strike action over safety of members