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(a) are suffering from grave chronic diseases or
being aged, infirm or physically incapacitated
are living in insanitary conditions, and
(b) are unable to devote to themselves, and are not
receiving from other persons, proper care and
attention.
It has fortunately, once again, not been necessary to
use these powers during the year, which is a source of
satisfaction in that their use represents a failure of
our services. I do not feel that the compulsory removal
of an old person from his home, however unsatisfactory
that home may be. is ever very likely to be a solution
leading to a happy last few years. As a general rule old
people are happiest when managing independently for them
selves. An essential pre requisite of happiness in any
Old Persons Home is to convince the old person that the
time has come for him to accept the offer of a vacancy in
such a home.
OLD PEOPLE'S LIAISON COMMITTEE
This Committee was formed in January. 1959, when it
was felt that the partnership between the activities of
the Borough Council for Old People's Welfare and those
voluntary organisations which were running services on
the Council's behalf under Section 31 of the National
Assistance Act, would function even more smoothly if a
joint Committee were formed. Here, the Council members
would be given an opportunity to explain their overall
plan for Old People's Welfare to the voluntary organisa
tions and at the same time the representatives of these
organisations would have the opportunity to bring their
various difficulties to the notice of the Council. In
this way it was hoped that there would be a unified and
co-ordinated policy. These hopes have been entirely
justified and the Liaison Committee met on the 15th
November when the progress of work for 1961 was considered
and plans formulated for its continuance in 1962.
Committee Members:
Alderman Mrs. L. Stowell, O.B.E.
Chairman
Councillor J.P. Barlow
J.T. Bartlett
" H.G. Brewster
" R.R. Clay
" D.J. Cousins
Council
Representatives