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11
An important advance was made in July when effect was given to the
Council's decision to implement in full, mainly through the agency of the
Family Planning Association, the provisions of the National Health Service
(Family Planning) Act 1967. As a result free examination and advice is available
to all Lambeth residents who seek it, with an expanding domiciliary service
for those who need it.
The extension of the requirements of the Nurseries and Child Minders
Regulation Act 1948 to women minding one or two children at once brought
within its scope a large number of child-minders who had previously been
exempt from registration. It was soon evident that the initial visiting of
applicants for registration should continue long beyond the three months
allowed for the completion or registration procedures. By the end of the year
more than 500 applicants had received one or more preliminary visits, and 109
registrations had been completed. There is no doubt that the extended requirements
will contribute to the prevention of unsatisfactory child-minding.
Every encouragement and help has been given to suitable persons wishing
to start pre-school playgroups, and to those already running them. A grant
under the Urban Programme made increased financial assistance available for
groups catering for children from areas of social need, and the total of such
assistance is likely to reach £10,000 in the next year.
I am pleased to be able to report that the number of health visitors, which
had fallen to a disturbingly low level in 1967 has been substantially increased
as a result of the sponsorship by the Council in successive years of considerable
numbers of student health visitors. It is hoped that the present trend will
continue until a sufficient total is reached, and maintained.
The Housing Act 1969 which came into effect on 25th August 1969
placed on local authorities a duty to cause an inspection of their districts to be
made from time to time with a view to dealing with a wide range of unsatisfactory
conditions.
New provisions relating to increased maximum improvement and
standard grants; the conversion of controlled tenancies to regulated tenancies,
if the dwelling is in good repair, and provided with standard amenities; compensation
in respect of unfit houses subject to action by the Council; and an
amendment to the standard of fitness, are welcomed.