"Scrooge" Bournemouth council tells care staff not to accept Christmas gifts

Norma Cail, 66, who is confined to a wheelchair and relies on her specially-trained Labrador, Sonny, to help with everyday chores, said: “My carers are my lifeline; without them I couldn’t get up in the morning.

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

"Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking. He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions."

“As well as doing their job they will put their arms around me and give me a cuddle when I’m down or ignore my moods when I’m in a bad temper. They’re lovely and I just wanted to show my gratitude.”

Norma, who has suffered strokes and has various health problems including osteoarthritis and asthma, bought £4.99 writing sets for her three main carers.

Norma said: “I got a letter saying I couldn’t buy them gifts. I couldn’t believe the council could be so mean. Sadly Scrooge is alive and well in Bournemouth.”

The letter from the council’s home care manager, Teresa Quain, said: “...council staff are not allowed to receive personal gifts... Please can I ask that you do not give gifts to the staff, and thus place them in a position of having to decline”.

Norma, a former auxiliary nurse, who lives in sheltered accommodation at Vale Road, Boscombe, told the Daily Echo: “I told the council I’m not happy but rules are rules and they won’t back down. It’s really upset me – so much for the Christmas spirit.”

Neil Smurthwaite, the council’s director for community care services, said: “I appreciate that, at this time of year, service users may wish to give a gift to the staff who have provided them with support throughout the year.

“Thank you letters and cards are always appreciated. However in line with the requirements of our registration with the Care Quality Commission and with the council’s code of conduct, staff are not allowed to accept individual gifts.

“This is not unique to Bournemouth – all local authorities have similar policies and procedures they must adhere to.”