Mansfield District Council insists it was ‘diligent in carrying out appropriate works’ on Jane Bennett’s house before she died of lung disease last month.
While the cause of Mrs Bennett’s illness is uncertain, doctors believe that it could have been connected to severe mould in her council home.
According to the coroner for Nottingham city and Nottinghamshire, Neema Sharma, a pathologist and respiratory consultant said it was ‘clear that the mould may be causal or contributory to her death.’
Ms. Sharma warned that there was ‘a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.’
However, the council today issued a statement arguing that the council ‘was diligent in carrying out appropriate works to [Mrs Bennett’s] property during her short tenancy.’
‘With regards to the case of Mrs Bennett, the council was made aware of a small amount of mould that was isolated to the bedroom drawers and wardrobe in her property. This was reported and investigated early on in her tenancy,’ the statement said.
‘A zero-tolerance approach was taken to mould and proactive mould treatment was undertaken on 11 January following an inspection on 5 January as a preventative measure to minimise any risk to Mrs Bennett’s health and wellbeing.’
