Fresh thinking? Baby asked to speak at housing strategy meeting

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Communities, Local Government

A letter mistakenly addressed to a baby requesting his attendance at a "very important" housing strategy meeting, has drawn an apology from the council involved.

Northampton Borough Council accidentally addressed the letter to 15-month-old Oakley Barrett - instead of the baby's parents - requesting his attendance at a focus group on planned changes to the local authority's housing allocations strategy.

The letter read: "It is very important you attend and give your views on the proposals as they could significantly affect the future of the way social housing is allocated and managed."

The council later apologised to Oakley's mother, Sophie, adding that unfortunately the council's complex administrative process had selected a child's name by mistake.

Councillor Mary Markham, the cabinet member for housing, said "This invite should have gone to Oakley's parents. We are sorry for this mistake and have contacted the family to apologise."

Bob Barrett, Oakley's grandfather, told the BBC the mistake was quite amusing.

Mr Barrett, from Dunston near Northampton, said: "This was clearly a clerical error but when the letter came the thought of Oakley standing up to speak in front of the borough council to discuss issues of housing was quite amusing."

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