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in homes established and maintained by voluntary organisations.
Section 37 provides for the inspection and registration of such homes
including those establishments run in a private capacity. The main
requirements are that the homes shall be satisfactory in regard to
situation, construction, repair, cleanliness, equipment and staffing.
There should be adequate rooms, toilets and bathroom facilities for
the numbers accommodated,, and the homes should be conducted to provide
such services and facilities as may be considered reasonable for the
people using them.
At the beginning of the year, the Council had on their register,
sixteen voluntary homes providing 753 beds and two privately run
homes providing 35 beds. There were no changes during the year.
Additionally, however, one home in the borough is registered as
a nursing home, and by virtue of an agreement between this home and
the former London County Council that a maximum of eight beds would
be available for Part III cases, this Council is currently using
three beds.
Care and Protection of Property
Section 48 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, requires the
Council to undertake responsibility for the care and protection of
movable property of persons admitted to hospital, residential
accommodation or place of safety under an order of the Court where
it appears there is danger of loss or damage, and where no other
suitable arrangements are being or can be made.
At 1st January, 1967, the property of twenty people was being
stored and in twelve instances, houses and flats had been secured
against unauthorised entry. During the year 148 (104) cases were
dealt with. It was possible to trace relatives in twenty-nine
cases and arrange for them to accept responsibility. The property
of ten people was sent to the hospitals in which they were patients.
Of the remainder, 75 patients' belongings were taken into store, and
34 premises were secured.
Altogether 83 cases were satisfactorily resolved and at 31st
December, 1967, there remained 15 homes under surveillance and the
property of 43 people still remained under care and protection in
store.
Burials and Cremations
Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, imposes on the
Council the duty to arrange for the burial or cremation of the body
of any person who has died or been found dead within the borough
where no suitable arrangements have been, or are being, made for
disposal.
During the year under review, the Council became responsible
for the burial of thirty-one (40) persons. The following is a
summary of the action takens:-
Cases where funeral expenses have been
fully recovered 16 (20)
Cases where part only of the expenses
have been recovered 5 (8)
Cases where the full cost has been
borne by the Council 10 (12)
Cost of burials £820. 3. Od (£885. 0. 6d)
Amount recovered £564. 4. Od (£602. 0. 6d)
Net cost to the Council £255.19.0d (£283. 0. 0d)