Is this the lowest?

[Kal]

This is one of the lowest things I've heard local government do for a long time... but is it the lowest world wide?

August 1 2005
Council bills dead rider
Unthinking officials sent a bill to a dad who died after being knocked off his bike – for the damage his crash caused to a bollard and road barrier.
Reports in Manchester’s Metro News say Stephen Leeming, 36, died on this way to work last July after a novice driver crashed into him.
Three letters requesting more than £300 for the damage have since arrived at the home he shared with his young family.
Manchester council says it was an ‘unfortunate situation’ caused by the fact that two different sections of the council had been dealing with the matter.

[9000white]

well they probably already stole all the other money that they collect.them government workers get pretty anxious without something to steal everyday.

[cb360]

Not sure if it's the lowest or not... but it's definitely within view of the bottom. I believe I would answer those letters in person.

[oldnslo]

Are you sure that didn't happen in the US? Sounds typical of city government here.

[Keyoke]

It's certainly the lowest I've heard of for a while!

[sv-wolf]

Manchester council says it was an ‘unfortunate situation’ caused by the fact that two different sections of the council had been dealing with the matter.

He He He.

Where have I heard that one before? As a local government officer (forgive me, I need to eat), I'm no stranger to the inability of local government officers to talk to one another or their tendency to get obsessed withn the intricacies of procedure at the expense of good sense.

On the whole, though, I'd say most LGOs I know have a sense of fairness and want help people as much as they can. That's one of the reasons they take lower wages and work in the public sector. But their sense of 'natural justice' is often very rule bound. It comes from years of having to work within the limits of cost saving government legislation and guidance. It's all this damn RED TAPE and BUREAUCRACY and ultimately it's all about pounds and pence.