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Although many cases were investigated during the year,
only one resulted in formal action being taken under the
section. This was the case of an old woman of 84 years living
alone in one room, which was in an extremely dirty and verminous
condition. The furniture in the room was also dirty and
verminous and the woman herself was dirty and apparently unaware
of the insanitary conditions in which she was living.
Attempts to persuade her to enter an institution failed
and, on the 19th November, 1949, on the application of the
Council, the Court made an order for her compulsory removal to
a London County Council institution in Chelsea, for a period
not exceeding three months. The order was carried out and
subsequently the woman consented to the contents of her room
being destroyed. At the time of writing this report, the woman
was still in the institution as a voluntary patient.
Burial of the Dead.
Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, imposes
on the Council the duty to arrange for the burial or cremation
of any person who dies or is found dead within the borough,
where no suitable private arrangements are made for the
disposal of the remains.
This section came into force on 5th July, 1948, and the
Council authorised the Medical Officer of Health to make
arrangements for the burial of any person to whom it applies.
This work was previously carried out by the London County
Council through their public assistance officers.
In 1949, the Council became responsible for the burial of
66 persons dying in the borough. In only one case was the
body cremated.
The following is a summary of the action taken:-
(a) Cases where the Council's funeral expenses
have been fully recovered 39
(b) Cases where part only of the expenses have
been recovered 13
(i) Number of these where balance
of expenses will be recovered 5 (amounting to
£17.13s.6d.)
(ii) Number of these where there is
no estate or "liable" relative 8
(c) Cases where full cost has been borne by
the Council 14
(i) Number of these where expenses
will be recovered 2 (amounting to
£12.0s.6d.)
(ii) Number of these where there is
no estate or "liable" relative 10
(iii) Number of these where "liable"
relatives are unable to contribute 2
Total cost to the Council £554. 8s. 0d.
Amount recovered to date £380. 10s. 0d.
Additional amount expected to be recovered £29. 14s. 0d.