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92
FORWARD PLANNING
Residential Homes
Former Public Assistance Institution King's Mead
Last year it was reported that the Ministry of Health proposed to
allocate to the Council sites at Springfields Hospital, Wandsworth, on
which to build two homes each of 60 beds, as part replacement of King's
Mead. The suggested year of occupation of the two new homes, as a
result of the Ministry's study of the closure of all former P.A.I's in
Inner London, was 1971. In the event, the planning authority of
Wandsworth objected to the proposal of another authority developing
homes for the elderly within their borough boundaries, and offered land
at Merton as an alternative. The Council's Welfare Committee were
unable to accept the alternative and the position would seem to be no
nearer being resolved. Clearly the proposed year of closure of King's
Mead, i.e. 1970/71, bears no relationship to the facts.
Other Homes
Progress in regard to the detailed planning of the proposed home
at Edenham Street (61 beds) and the development of the site in Allen
Street (34 beds) has been made, and it is to be hoped that the appropriate
Ministries will grant loan sanction for the building works to commence
during 1968/69.
It is with pleasure that the Welfare Committee record their
appreciation of the Housing Committee's co-operation in agreeing to
allocate land within the Lancaster Road (West) development for a home
for the elderly of 40 beds, a Day Care Centre for the elderly and,
particularly, for the agreement to provide within the area Warden
controlled flatlet accommodation for the elderly of up to 40 units.
Temporary Accommodation
Properties
Good progress has been maintained in the replacement of short-stay
accommodation. In 1966, it was anticipated that 144/148 Earls Court
Road (18 family units) would be available for use only up to April,
1969. Consultations continued with the Greater London Council, however,
and during the year it was learned that the properties would not have
to be returned until later in 1970. Replacement has therefore been
deferred until 1969.
Schemes
A joint Circular was issued in October, 1966, by the Ministries
of Health and Housing and Local Government and the Home Office, in
which emphasis was placed upon prevention of the break-up of families,
and homelessness. The close liaison and co-operation which already
existed with other departments and agencies was strengthened by the
advent of this Circular. The Department's ability to deal with the
social problems gained greater impetus in the Council's agreement to
appoint three Social Caseworkers to this field of activity.
GENERAL
It has been thought helpful to place in parentheses where appropriate,
figures for the previous year.