If the existing fence is damaged can you not ask the council to replace it as it technically their fence ?
That could result in them wanting to replace it with a lower one though if the height is incorrect which could in turn mean they then have to do all the neighbors as well so not the outcome you may want.
Could cost the council a lot more money though which could help sway their decision if you explained this to them.
info here mate in the last post that may be of use.
Sorry if you have already found this just trying to offer some help
http://www.the370z.com/forced-induction/88485-vvel.html
I used to be in the trade and have always had mot anxiety mainly caused by the fact that one mans pass is another mans failure depending on how nice the misses was to him last night.....
Cant you get him to pay by paypal with a premium to cover the cost and once the money has been drawn out and into your bank then let him have the car or will that not work ?