I don't believe it, Sandwell "Elf" and safety at it again

You couldn't make it up.

sandwell council are at it again:

A pair of friendly gnomes have been banned from a block of Black Country flats under strict new health and safety rules.

It's unbelievable that this council can be so stupid.

Linda Langford has also been told to remove her ‘welcome’ plaque on the grounds it is a fire risk. Sandwell Council insists it is ‘common sense’ to ban the gnomes and a senior councillor defended the move as potentially ‘life-saving’.

The pottery gnomes – one hitting an anvil and the other reading a book – have been outside Miss Langford’s flat in Sedgley Road West, Tipton, since she moved in nine years ago.

and the usual weasel words,

But Sandwell’s housing boss Councillor Mahboob Hussain said: “I have received complaints about items blocking communal areas and I have visited flats to look at the problem.

“I’ve seen people blocking hallways in a manner that is just not acceptable. I’ve seen chests of drawers on landings and plants on staircases. This is about fire regulations. We have to use common sense. If it helps to save one life, it’s worth it.”

The next one will be "think of the cheeeldren". That hasn't been used yet.

UPDATE: The council have apologised to Mrs Langford.

'Sandwell Homes had slightly misinterpreted the policy on items in communal areas.'

The councillor said the authority's aim was to use common sense in identifying fire hazards and to treat each case on its merits.

'Our policy is that as long as there is not an excessive number of gnomes or similar items in communal areas, and as long as there isn't a problem with these items being damaged through anti-social behaviour, they can stay.'

H/T to Big Brother watch & The express and star