A COUNCILLOR was left stunned after his mother was charged for her council services two months after she passed away.

Colin George, 56, of Wokingham Town Council, complained to Slough Borough Council after receiving bills for council services despite reporting her death. 

Councillor George's mother, Kay, died at the age of 79 in April 2018, though since her passing the Slough council has repeatedly attempted to bill her.

He explained: "A week after my mother’s death we received a letter from Slough Borough Council stating that they wished to assess my mother’s finances for her ongoing care from the council.

"I rang the department and explained that my mother was dead and no longer required it. About ten days after that I received a phone call from the council finance assessment department, asking if the appointment to assess her finances was ok. I had to inform them yet again that my mother was dead, and no longer required the service."

This was not the end, however, as the notice of death seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.

Councillor George said: "On May 11 we received an invoice for telecare services that were owing for the month prior to my mother’s death. I contacted the telecare department again to inform them that my mother had died on April 18 and asked them could I settle any outstanding payments required. I made the payment in full.

"On June 5, Slough Borough Council Telecare services me an invoice for the telephone services that I have already paid for, including days after her death.

"I’ve gone out of my way to tell them that she died, but nothing seems to be taken up in the council. What do I have to do, to make them accept that she is dead? You would have thought in a situation like this they would have jumped to correct it – it has to be embarrassing.

"Are they planning on billing her forever? I hope they realise she can’t use their services anymore, being dead."

A spokesman for Slough Borough Council said: "We are very sorry to hear Mrs George’s family are continuing to receive invoices from us despite her passing.

"This should not have happened and today we have taken urgent steps to make sure this doesn’t continue.

"The family should not receive another invoice and we apologise for all the inconvenience and upset caused."