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124
a full year amounting to £2,865 in local authority homes and £632
in voluntary homes. In the latter establishments the standard charge
varies and is fixed after consultation with the officers of the local
authority in whose area the home is situated.
38. The net expenditure for 1966/67 on residential homes per
1,000 population was £672 1s. 0d., compared with an average of
£806 0s. 0d. for London Boroughs. The corresponding averages for
counties and county boroughs in England and Wales were
£551 8s. 0d. and £720 3s. 0d. respectively.
39. In respect of residential homes provided by the London
Borough of Bromley, the average cost per resident week was
£11 17s. 3d. compared with an average of £10 13s. 5d. for London
Boroughs. The corresponding averages for counties and county
boroughs in England and Wales were £9 13s. 2d. and £9 5s. 9d.
respectively.
Voluntary Services in the Residential Homes
40. Reference was made in last year's Report to those individuals
and members of voluntary organisations who made such a valuable
contribution to life in residential homes. This form of support
continued during 1966/67 and is most appreciated. Particularly
encouraging was the help forthcoming from young people, including
groups of school children.
Registration and Inspection of Homes
41. A duty placed on the local authority by Section 37 of the
National Assistance Act, 1948, to register and inspect any establishment,
the sole or main object of which is the provision of accommodation,
whether for reward or not, for disabled persons or for the
aged or for both, has involved the staff in considerable work. There
were 23 registered homes in the London Borough of Bromley in
March, 1966. This number increased to 26 by March, 1967, and
in this area where there are suitable properties for setting up
voluntary and private homes of this nature, the number is likely
to continue to increase. Considerable difficulty has been experienced
in requiring proprietors to register in accordance with the Act.
42. During the year, 41 specific visits have been made to the
registered homes to ensure that satisfactory standards have been
maintained. In addition, senior officers of the department have taken
the opportunity of meeting proprietors and matrons of the homes
to discuss a wide variety of matters. The role of the local authority
is seen as a supportive one, especially as voluntary and private
homes are caring for people who might otherwise be seeking local
authority residential accommodation.
43. Those who are considering the establishment of homes are
advised to contact the department before firm commitments are
entered into. Advice can then be provided about registration,