Cruelllest cut of all for pensioner (From Barry And District News)

Cruelllest cut of all for pensioner

A BARRY man is livid over a Vale of Glamorgan council ruling, which he insists is discriminating against tenants with living relatives.

Jeffery Buckler, 40, of Colbert Road, was furious when council employees cut the grass of every other garden except his disabled mother's in the 14-home block in Dudley Place.

Jeffery Buckler said: "Council workers came here last week and cut every garden in the row bar my mother's.

"We took it up with the council's housing and maintenance department, and they told us that they would not cut her grass because she has a relative living in the Vale of Glamorgan.

"This is a crazy way of doing things. I can't believe they are being so petty. I have come to cut the grass myself, because I would not see my mother suffer, but at the end of the day I am not the landlord of the property."

Edna Buckler, 64, said: "I was told by the council that if the grass wasn't cut I could face eviction. As I am registered disabled, I am completely reliant on my son.

"It's not really fair on him as he puts in a lot of hours as a taxi driver. Some of the other residents here must have relatives in the Vale. I can't believe none of them do."

Operational manager Nick Selwyn of Public Sector Housing said: "Council policy, which has been operating for a number of years, only allows for a free cutting of grass for council tenants of pensionable age or the disabled if they have no relatives living within the Vale of Glamorgan.

"In Mrs Buckler's case, we are aware of family living within the area, and consequently, she does not qualify.

"We are not aware of any special circumstances which would affect this decision."