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18
GENERAL INFORMATION AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
In any society, the establishment and implementation of a
public health and welfare policy must have due regard to the social
circumstances of the particular section of the community to which
it is directed. Present social circumstances are the result of the
impact of history, both political and economic, on the lives and
environment of its inhabitants. It is the aim of these introductory
pages to supply, in abbreviated form, such background information
as will enable a more objective view to be taken of the Borough
and its problems.
Since the beginning of the 19th century, accelerating increases
in population have created a variety of problems in the London
area, not the least important of which has been that of local government.
Clearly, with such rapid changes in recent years and the
intensification of difficulties associated with housing, social
conditions, public health, etc., an investigation into London
Government became desirable. Accordingly, in December, 1957,
a Commission was set up "to examine the present system and
working of local government in the Greater London area" and, if
considered necessary, to recommend changes which would secure
better and more efficient administration.
Resulting from the Commission's Report presented to Parliament
in October, 1960, it was concluded that, in the light of modern
requirements, some adjustment to London Government was
imperative and that in a number of instances, new local authorities
needed to be created. Subsequently, re-organisation of local
government in London was effected by the London Government
Act, 1963.
Greater London now consists of 32 London Boroughs with
the City and the Temples. Twelve of these are designated Inner
London Boroughs, of which Greenwich is one, and on 1st April,
1965, under the title of the London Borough of Greenwich, the
previous Metropolitan Boroughs of Greenwich and Woolwich were
united. Amalgamation of these two areas has resulted in the
formation of a Borough which is second to none in historical background
and diverse interests.
As a riparian authority, the Council now has jurisdiction over
a river frontage of almost nine miles extending eastwards from just
short of the Surrey Commercial Docks and Limehouse Reach,
through the Greenwich, Blackwall, Bugsby, Woolwich and Gallion's
Reaches almost to Crossness on the Erith Marshes in Barking
Reach. Averaging approximately 1/4 mile in width, the River
Thames forms the northern boundary of the new Borough which
ranges southwards for about 5 miles from this base line in a