Pensioner’s ‘disgust’ over dead relative permit error
AGREAT-GRANDMOTHER was sent a new blue badge parking permit bearing a photograph of her dead sister-in-law by blundering council officials.
Kathleen Powell, 88, was stunned to see her dearly departed relative staring out of the pass a year after she died.
Kathleen submitted her personal details and photograph when applying for the parking permit after suffering a stroke. But officials at Vale of Glamorgan council put on her deceased relation’s picture by mistake – because she had the same name.
Kathleen shares the same name as her late sister-in-law Kathleen Powell, who died last year aged 83.
Red-faced officials blamed an administrative mix-up, saying officers failed to check dates of birth correctly along with their different addresses.
But Kathleen, who is registered disabled after suffering a stroke, saids she is “disgusted” by the error.
She said: “I opened it and looked and went: ‘Oh God.’ I saw my sister-in-law in the photo, it was such a shock, God love her.
“I’m really upset. We used to be so close and I would phone her all the time. All the family are disgusted. An apology is all I want and my blue badge.”
Kathleen needs her car to park at a lunch club where she is a volunteer, for bingo and for shopping trips in her home town of Barry.
A spokesman for Vale of Glamorgan council said: “We have contacted Mrs Powell to apologise for what was a rare administrative error and would like to take this opportunity to again express our extreme regret at this situation.
“The mistake occurred because Mrs Powell and her sister-in-law shared the exact same name and as soon as we became aware of it, immediate steps were taken to address the problem.
“An investigation has been launched in light of this episode and procedures will be reviewed, with staff reminded of the importance of checking dates of birth before making badges.
“We hope the above steps can minimise the chance of such an error being repeated.
“We have ordered a new badge for Mrs Powell, which should be with her in the next two weeks.”