Edward Meakins moved into his home when he was nine.He's now 83. His sister died recently and his landlord, Barnet Homes announced that now his house is too big for him. They want to put him into Sheltered Accomodation (presumably with no onsite warden). Given the fact his home is immaculately kept, with a fine show of roses and the fact he's clearly living quite well independently, a move to sheltered accomodation is purely to suit the whim of this quango.
My guess is that a move to a sheltered flat without his beloved roses will shuffle Mr Meakins off to an early grave. I doubt that the family who moves in will lovingly tend the flowers and the sight of this will probably be enough to finish him off (although I sincerely hope I'm wrong). There are hundreds of people in local authority accomodation in Barnet in the wrong sized home. My guess is that most of them are in places that are too small. This isn't the fault of people like Mr Meakin, it's the fault of the Council and the Government, who have neglected to build enough houses.
As ever, the bureaucracies of Barnet are shown to be heartless and crass. They don't treat the people they deal with as human beings, just inconveniences. It really makes me sick
http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/8326094.Pensioner__83__may_be_forced_from_family_home_of_74_years/?ref=mc
If Mr Meakins wants to stay in his home when the time comes, I think we should do everything we can to support him. I don't know whether anyone is in touch with him or the family. Perhaps they could put the idea to him. There are probably some legal steps that can be taken at least. I will have a word with a lawyer I know!
ReplyDeleteI saw this on the news last night and think its atrocious - and agree with the original posting - it'll probably send him to an early grave. I think the local residents need to formulate a plan and support him in any way they can. He's old, doubtless he must've served his country, he doesn't need the stress of it all - so totally inhuman its a disgrace.
ReplyDeleteBarnet Council's facebook page is full of comments, and a Save Edward Meakin page has also been started
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/#!/barnetcouncil?ref=ts
Barnet Homes have relented
ReplyDeletehttp://www.barnethomes.org/News%20and%20Publications/PressReleases/Pages/StatementonEdwardMeakins.aspx