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27
Vacant Sites, Static Water Tanks, ctc.
Nuisances caused by the dumping of rubbish and the accumulation
of rainwater in disused static water tanks, and the dumping of rubbish
on cleared sites, showed a considerable diminution over those arising
in previous years, although in a number of cases the Council had to
clear these deposits. The diminution was no doubt largely due to
the removal of a number of tanks and the use of the sites for rebuilding
or other purposes.
Arrangements are in operation whereby the Council are empowered
to clear static water tanks and to obtain refund of the cost from the
London County Council. It was not found necessary to make use of
these arrangements during the year.
Burial of Deceased Persons.
Under Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, the Council
are responsible for the burial or cremation of the body of any person
dying, or being found dead, in the Borough, and have power to recover
from the estate of the deceased person, or from any person who, under
the Act, was liable to maintain the deceased immediately prior to his
death, their expenses incurred in carrying out the duty, in so far as
these expenses are not covered by any grant made under the National
Insurance Act, 1946.
During the year, 8 cases were dealt with.
The burials arranged by the Council are carried out by a local
undertaker under contract, and not more than one coach is provided
for followers. The Health Department make the arrangements and
collect all available information regarding any estate left by the deceased,
perticulars of his National Insurance, and the existence of any "liable"
relatives. This information is passed to the Borough Treasurer so that
he may take steps to recover the cost.
The total cost incurred in dealing with the 8 cases was £90 of
which £41 had been recovered by the end of the year.
Aged and Infirm Persons.
Under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, the Council
are empowered to apply to a Court of Summary Jurisdiction for an
Order for the removal to a hospital or other suitable place of any person
who is aged or infirm or suffering from some grave chronic disease,
and is living under insanitary conditions. This power is exercisable
on the certificate of the Medical Officer of Health. The Order remains
operative for a period of three months, but the Court may, on application
by the Council, extend it for such further periods, not exceeding three
months each, as are considered necessary.
The procedure under Section 47, as outlined above, was amended
by the National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951, which came into
operation on the 1st September, 1951, for the purpose of enabling very
urgent cases to be dealt with more expeditiously. This new Act provides
that the Court, or a single Justice of the Peace, may, on the certificates
of the Medical Officer of Health and another registered medical
tioner, make an Order without formal notice of the application having
been given to the person concerned or to the hospital authority, subject,
in the case of the latter, to evidence being produced of their willingness
to admit the person. The length of time a person may be detained