Pensioner frozen out by council over fridge uplift
Matt Meade • Published 3 Feb 2012 08:25
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COUNCIL workers refused to uplift a fridge for a Dunfermline pensioner.
The frail 78-year-old woman was expected to drag the heavy item outside her home for collection.
Now a local councillor has called for Fife Council to end the "ridiculous" rule that prevents workers from entering homes to remove white goods.
Dunfermline South councillor Mike Rumney was called by the woman asking him for help.
He contacted charity Furniture Plus to arrange the pick-up from inside her Russell Court home.
He said, "It took only one phone call and within 10 minutes it was all arranged and she was delighted with the service.
"It's ridiculous that old people are expected to put heavy goods outside.
"Part of the problem is most enquiries go through a call centre.
"They have no flexibility and stick to the administration's policy rules.
"There has to be respect for older people and flexibility, especially when it involves heavy objects."
The woman, who did not want to be named, contacted the Press to thank Councillor Rumney for his help.
She was told initially by Fife Council that it would cost £25 for the uplift.
"Not ideal for a pensioner but that seems to be the way things are and I felt I had no option but to pay," she said.
"However, when I explained that I was a 78-year-old pensioner and that I would need the council workers to come into the house to collect the fridge I was told they were not allowed to do that.
"After contacting Councillor Rumney to ask for help to resolve this problem it took only 15 minutes for him to arrange for a local charity to pick it up, saving me £25 and a potential headache and in the process getting a working item recycled."
Bulky uplifts are usually done from the kerbside but for pensioners and disabled people the council will pick things up from outside the front or back door.
Fife Council do advise online that used furniture or electrical items can be uplifted by a local furniture charity, normally free of charge.
Roddy Mann, environmental operations senior manager, said, "We do not go into houses for a number of reasons.
"It would place us in a difficult position if in removing the material we damaged the property or other contents in the house.
"In addition, if this was a service that was routinely delivered there would be a cost implication."
The council can collect bulky household items, including furniture and fridges/freezers, on request. To arrange an uplift call the recycling helpline on 08451 55 00 22, Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm. The cost is £25 per uplift.
For more information visit www.fifedirect.org.uk, click the 'environment and waste' tab then the 'recycling and waste' tab where you will find information on household waste collections and recycling options.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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midge1
21 posts
Feb 5, 00:22
Report commentoh well thats me snookered i am in a first floor flat 18 steps up to front door ,i cant even open my window and throw it out onto street even shouting GARDE DE LO if i wanted .Perhaps road show might deem my junk of value ha/ha
Recommend?
Yes 1
No 1
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Tradesman
30 posts
Feb 6, 13:36
Report commentPensioner frozen out; she is not alone!
NHS hospital provision in an ever expanding Dunfermline
February 6th 2012
New mum's trauma as she has baby on icy pavement outside hospital after ringing buzzer for six minutes
A woman has given birth on the pavement outside a Fife hospital after she was unable to get inside the building.
She waited six minutes in temperatures of minus 4 degrees centigrade for nurses to answer the buzzer at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
She had rung ahead, but the doors to the unit were closed. Temperatures were around freezing at the time; the baby was born before anyone was able to answer the door.
A statement from NHS Fife confirmed a woman had phoned ahead to say she was on her way to the hospital.
NHS Fife and Fife Council planning fails yet again!
Recommend? Yes 16
No 5
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