Norfolk man receives letter saying he is dead

He hand delivered a response, saying: "Do I look dead to you?"

Stuart Dobson
Author: Sian RochePublished 20th Mar 2023

A Norfolk council has been left red-faced after sending a recent widower a letter telling him he was dead.

Stuart Dobson was sent a letter by South Norfolk Council, telling him they were “sorry to hear” that he had died and that he could get a council tax exemption.

It came just one month after his wife of 54 years, Ann, died.

The 77-year-old said the letter has been another unnecessary stress at a time when he is already suffering.

The letter from the council

Mr Dobson responded to the council telling them that they are “ill-informed” and cost him time and distress.

He met Ann 60 years ago, whom he described as much love, with her death coming as a huge blow to the whole family.

"Do I look dead to you?"

He said: “I have been up there to give them a letter, I’ve hand delivered it to the council, telling them ‘do I look dead to you?’

“It’s an utter shambles, they’re asking me to fill in forms when they think I’m dead, it doesn’t make sense. I don’t need this at all.”

Mr Dobson was also frustrated because he had initially gone to deliver the response to the council at its office in Long Stratton.

The office was listed on the council’s letterhead to Mr Dobson, despite it having closed and the authority having temporarily moved to Thorpe Hamlet.

The letters were also sent to an office address of a business owned by Mr Dobson and his family rather than his home address, with no explanation as to why.

An SNC spokesman said: “The Council has apologised to Mr Dobson for the mistake made when updating our records following the death of Mrs Dobson and we regret that our mistake has caused Mr Dobson upset at this difficult time.

“We have reviewed what happened and unfortunately this was a case of human error for which we are deeply sorry.”

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