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An application to convert a normal five-roomed house into two one-bedroom flats
was refused.
Houses in Multiple Occupation
In respect of two houses statutory action was taken to enforce the provision of
reasonable facilities for each family.
There are no common lodging houses in the Borough.
Tents, Vans and Sheds
Gypsies still continue to pull their vans on to vacant sites in an effort to spend at
least a few days in the area. The number of sites with easy access from the road is
becoming less each year. During the year inspectors paid 202 visits to various sites in
connection with this work. A closer liason has been sought with the local police.
An application under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act, i960 has
been received in respect of a site (14 vans) which has been in existence for many years.
The site is being run down over a period of about 12 months.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948
Section 47
The surveillance of persons who are unable properly to care for themselves receives
the constant attention of all members of the department. The various services operated
by the department continue to improve the lot of many of these unfortunate people who,
although they cannot do much for themselves, are unwilling to leave their home in what
are inevitably their last days. It was not necessary compulsorarily to remove any person
during the year.
Section 50
No one was buried under the provisions of this section during the year.
LAUNDRY SERVICE FOR THE INCONTINENT AGED
This service meets a real need in the home at a time when help is usually most
urgent. The days of collection and delivery of laundered articles continue to be Mondays
and Thursdays.
The helpful co-operative attitude of the department's driver and the laundry staff
at the Barking Hospital ensures a very satisfactory service.
An average of about 15 cases use the service at any one time. From the commencement
of the service in December, 1953 to the end of this year 315 cases have received assistance.
During the year 35 new cases have been helped, 27 cases died, 12 were removed to
hospital and two no longer needed the service. At the end of the year 14 cases were
still participating; the number of articles laundered during the year was 11,843 compared
with 10,439 articles for the previous year.
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