View report page

33
BOROUGH CREMATION SERVICE
The Council have an agreement with the General Cemetery Company
for a borough cremation service with the object of popularising this form
of disposal of the dead and so conserving the land available at Gunnersbury
Cemetery for earth burial.
The agreement with the General Cemetery Company has been in
force since 1951 and under it the Company makes a reduced charge for
cremation to residents of Kensington. The agreement provides for a
basic charge which is below that made to the general public and any
increase in the basic charge is based on a formula incorporated in the
agreement.
The current fee paid by Kensington residents, which is fixed
by the Council but paid direct to the Company by those using the service,
is £5. 5s. Od., and this is known as the "borough charge." The Council
pay to the Company the difference between the "borough charge" and the
scale mentioned above.
During the year the Council considered an application by the
General Cemetery Company for an increase in the basic charge and, after
careful consideration, it was decided that, as from 1st June, 1963, the
basic charge should be increased from £5.5s.Od. to £6.l6s. 6d. for each
Kensington cremation.

These figures compare with only 60 Kensington cremations in
19^8 (prior to the arrangement coming into effect).
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS OF STAFF
The Medical Officer of Health arranges all medical examinations
of staff for the purpose of the Council's superannuation
scheme. During the year, 195 examinations were made.
WELFARE OF OLD PEOPLE
The Council have accepted the responsibility, within their
powers, for co-ordinating and assisting in the extension of activities
for aged persons and to alleviate unsatisfactory conditions under
which many old people are living.
Co-operation with voluntary bodies interested in the welfare
of old people is effected wherever possible. Four members of the
Public Health Committee serve on the Kensington Old People's Welfare
Voluntary Committee, which acts as a co-ordinating non-executive
committee through which voluntary bodies claim assistance from the
Council and through which the Council pass requests for executive
action.