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38
"That in the opinion of this Council the proposal of the Wandsworth
Guardians to erect a new Workhouse Infirmary on the St. James's Road,
Battersea, site, at an estimated cost of ,£125,000, is inexpedient at the
present time, inasmuch as
"(1) The present accommodation, with the extra provision which is
being made for 200 adult patients, will meet immediate requirements.
"(2) The Local Government Board has already intimated that the
separation of the Parish of Battersea from the Wandsworth Union
will be granted in the near future, and upon that event the
existing workhouse and the Tooting Home will be ample for the
requirements of Wandsworth.
"(3) That the ultimate cost of the buildings, fittings, furniture, and the
establishment and maintenance charges, will involve a heavy extra
burden on the Poor Rates, to which Battersea contributes onethird
and Wandsworth two-thirds."
A copy of the foregoing resolutions was sent to the Local
Government Board and to the Wandsworth Guardians, and subsequently
the Council passed the following further resolution on
the subject, viz. :—
"That, having regard to the widespread dissatisfaction of the Ratepayers
of this Borough at the contemplated expenditure of the Guardians for
the provision of a new Infirmary, this Council, as the elected Representatives
of the Ratepayers and as the Body charged with the duty of providing
the Guardians with Funds by levying the necessary Rate, requests the
Local Government Board to hold a public Inquiry as to whether a new
Infirmary is absolutely necessary at the present time."
A copy of this resolution was also sent to the Local Government
Board and the Wandsworth Guardians, and further correspondence
took place between the Council and the Local Government
Board on the subject, in which the Council urged that, in
view of the suggested merging of the duties of the Poor Law
Authorities in the General Municipal Government and the creation
of a Central Poor Law Authority for London and of the large
number of vacant places in the Workhouses and Infirmaries in
London, the matter should await the report of the Royal Commission
on the Poor Laws. The Local Government Board, however,
declined to hold a Public Inquiry and adhered to their decision,
approving generally of the Guardians' proposals.
Parliamentary Bills.
36. The following Parliamentary Bills were considered by the
Council, viz. :—
London County Council (Tramways and Improvements).
London County Council (General Powers).