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Food Parcels:—Nearly a thousand food parcels from America were received and distributed in January.
Meals for the Elderly:—The gap left by the closing of the London County Council Restaurants was filled by the
Salvation Army opening its own kitchen and by the Women's Voluntary Service collecting meals from the
Kensington Communal Kitchen.
Employment Scheme:—With the example of Finsbury before it, an employment scheme for the elderly was started
in March. The Salvation Army generously allowed their hall to be used on two afternoons a week and fourteen
people are employed but the need for permanent premises is pressing. A waiting list of old folk anxious to
join has been started and sufficient work for all has been promised by employers.
Whist Drives :—Whist drives were again held regularly during the year to raise funds for the Committee's work.
The year has been one of consolidation and expansion for the Committee, made possible by the improved financial
position. Many more elderly folk are seeking advice and help and the problems are many and varied, but housing headsthe
list.
HEALTH EDUCATION.
The CLEAN FOOD CAMPAIGN in the Borough has continued on the same lines as in the previous year. Food
handlers are interviewed, encouraged and advised on every possible occasion—during the year the food inspectors
paid 802 visits to cafes and restaurants and 6,004 visits to other food premises. Posters are exhibited and pamphlets
distributed for the instruction of the public.
Voluntary SMALLPOX VACCINATION and DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION has been maintained by the
personal approach to the mothers by the London County Council's Health Visitors.
The MASS X-RAY UNIT carried out a survey from the Welfare Centre, 283a Harrow Road, from the 1st to the
14th January 1954. This survey was not confined to Paddington residents. Local employers, including the Council,
were encouraged to allow their staffs to attend as well as private individuals. The number of people x-rayed was 3,485
made up of 2,156 men and 1,329 women. Of this total 18 persons were referred to the Chest Clinic as a result of the
survey. The Liaison Officer of the Unit tells me that he was rather disappointed with the low attendance. The efficient
arrangements for taking the films are, however, always commented on by those who do attend.
VENEREAL DISEASE notices giving the facilities for treatment are permanently exhibited and special posters
are displayed when requested by the London County Council.
The Council made a grant of £10 10s. 0d. to the CENTRAL COUNCIL FOR HEALTH EDUCATION in 1954.
This Council publishes excellent pamphlets on health subjects which are sold at cost price to subscribers, and has
exhibition stands available on loan.
HOUSING.
Houses unfit for human habitation.
No of basement rooms dealt with by closing orders 37 (233)
No. of houses dealt with by demolition orders or in respect of which undertakings were accepted 4 (2)
Twelve (19) persons were displaced as a result of the Council's operations, five (18) being rehoused by the Paddington
Borough Council, and seven (—) by the London County Council.
Closing orders were determined or undertakings cancelled on ten (21) basements, the upper parts of three (2) mews
premises, and one whole premises. Fifteen (22) other basements, the upper part of one mews premises, and two whole
premises were made fit without recourse to formal proceedings.
Compulsory Repairs.
Fourteen (7) notices were served during the year under Section 9 of the Housing Act, 1936. Two (—) notices were
complied with, and work was in progress at eight (5) of the premises. At four (1) premises nothing had been done.
Of the ten (17) notices served prior to 1954 which remained outstanding five (12) were complied with by the owners,
default action was taken by the Council in three (3) other cases, at one of which work was still in progress at the end
of the year. At one (2) other premises work was in progress, and one notice was in abeyance, the premises being vacant
and for sale.
Housing Act, 1936—Overcrowding.
(a) (1) No. of dwellings overcrowed at the end of the year 288 (327)
(2) No. of families dwelling therein 296 (338)
(3) No. of persons dwelling therein 1,217£ (1,369) units
(b) No. of new cases of overcrowding reported during the year 93 (87)