View report page

49
The Health Committee were concerned insofar as day nurseries were in the programme and the
following projects in respect of the day care of children under five years of age were put forward
for approval:
(i) Day Nursery (50 places) Mileage Yard Site, Paddington.
(ii) Day Nursery (50 places) in Paddington area, site to be found.
(iii) Replacement (and enlargement to 60 places) day nursery for present St. Jude's Day
Nursery, 88 Bravington Road, W.9.
(iv) Playgroups
The Government Circular prescribed provision for children whose health and welfare may
be affected by lack of opportunity to play with others as one of the functions of a day
nursery. This need is largely catered for in Westminster by pre-school playgroups and
proposals for three further groups were submitted.
None of these proposals was approved in the first phase of the urban programme. However,
following a further joint Circular dated 7th February, 1969, the City Council agreed that these
projects should be re-submitted and approval in principle was given by the Government for
expenditure on the three further playgroups in the second phase of the urban programme.
Organisation of the Social Services
Green Paper
In August the Minister of Health issued a Green Paper on the Administrative Structure of the
Medical and Related Services in England and Wales. The Minister referred to widespread recognition
that the structure as a whole should be radically reconsidered and submitted in the Green Paper
"entirely tentative" proposals for a long-term re-organisation. It was stated that no decision would
be taken by the Government until representatives of the authorities concerned and of those providing
services had been consulted and proper account had been taken of their views.
The scheme put forward was that some 40 to 50 Area Boards, responsible directly to the Minister,
should be set up to replace and undertake the functions of the National Health Service Executive
Councils, Regional Hospital Boards, Boards of Governors and Hospital Management Committees
and also to undertake the community health service provided by the major local authorities.
The City Council submitted to the London Boroughs' Association the following observations on
the proposals contained in the Green Paper:
(a) The establishment of Area Boards appointed by and responsible to the Minister would not
be a democratic arrangement and should be resisted.
(b) It is noted that the Medical Officer of Health would serve the Area Board while the social
services would be under the care of another authority. This would be regrettable and would
create difficulties.
(c) The administration of personal services from Area Boards will be liable to result in the loss
of local contacts and the interest of local organisations which play such a useful part in this
field. This would not be to the advantage of the local population.
Subsequently the Minister indicated his intention of issuing a further document taking account
of the observations he had received from all the bodies concerned.
Report of the Seebohm Committee
In 1965 the Government appointed a committee on Local Authority and Allied Personal Social
Services ("the Seebohm Committee") "to review the organisation and responsibilities of the local
authority personal social services in England and Wales, and to consider what changes are desirable
to secure an effective family service". This Committee's report was published in July, 1968, and the
City Council has taken note of its recommendations, whilst at the same time bearing in mind the
Government's expressed wish that no action should be taken by local authorities to anticipate any
conclusions it may reach when it has completed its study of the Report.
The City Council will review the position of the Health, Welfare, and Children's Departments
when the Government makes known its conclusions on the recommendations of the Seebohm
Committee.