West Berks council to evict mum-to-be weeks before due date

Leigh-Anne Butler’s baby is due on May 10, but council chiefs insist she must move out by April 3.
Medical experts have warned that the baby is likely to be premature, and could be born any day. Ms Butler was taken to hospital last week, and although it turned out to be a false alarm, she remains on medication.
In a ‘private and confidential’ letter seen by the Newbury Weekly News, West Berkshire Council told the 21-year-old that she “should make arrangements with the housing management to vacate” her temporary accommodation.
In the letter, the housing team leader said: “After careful consideration the council has concluded that you are eligible for assistance, homeless, and in priority need.”
Crucially, however, it added that Ms Butler had been two months late with her rent in a different house two years ago, which now made her “intentionally homeless”, and it was for this reason she was being evicted.
Ms Butler said she was terrified that she would have nowhere to go, especially as her mother’s home was already classed as overcrowded, with three children and three adults in a three-bedroom house.
Basingstoke solicitors Wills Chandler have met Ms Butler and written to the council asking for the decision to be reviewed urgently, and to find accommodation for her during that review.
A High Court injunction will be sought against the council should it fail to provide accommodation for Leigh-Anne during this critical time.
Solicitor Margaret Dodson said that the council had eight weeks to consider the review and, should it refuse this interim request for accommodation, she would be in a position to make an urgent High Court application against the council for injunctive relief.
Mrs Dodson said that she believes no judge would allow anyone in Ms Butler’s circumstances to become street homeless, and is confident of obtaining injunctive relief to protect her and her unborn baby.
Ms Butler said: “People in this council don’t seem to care where I have my baby. It could be on a pavement in the middle of town, as far as they’re concerned.
“When I came to this house in mid-February, the council said I could stay here for up to four years, but in just four weeks it’s telling me that I’ve got to get out.
“It knows that I was kept in hospital for several days a few weeks ago because of pregnancy complications, and that I’m on strong medication, but it makes no difference.
“I’m scared because I’ve nowhere to go and I don’t know where my baby’s going to be born.
“The council also knows that I can’t stay with my mum because she’s classed as overcrowded. It’s just terrible.
“I don’t drink or smoke, and don’t touch drugs, and don’t receive a single government benefit.
“I depend on the Foodbank, and my mum for a little money to see me through, as I had to leave my supermarket job to have my baby.”
West Berkshire Council spokeswoman Peta Stoddart-Crompton said that the council was not able to discuss individual cases.