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125
including fire prevention requirements, matters affecting hygiene,
and standards of accommodation. The voluntary associations take
these steps at an early stage. Private owners are encouraged to do
likewise.
Special Housing for the Elderly
44. The term "special" or "sheltered" housing is used to describe
flatlets designed on labour-saving lines and with a resident warden
who is on call in emergency, looks after the communal facilities and
often gives additional help, for example with bathing, and, during
temporary illness, with meals. The warden can also call in other
forms of assistance when required. In January, 1966, the Health
and Welfare Committee resolved that for an experimental period
of one year from 1st April, 1966, grants be made to housing associations,
subject to a maximum of £50 per unit of accommodation,
in respect of welfare services provided in group housing schemes.
The grant was confined to accommodation occupied by persons
from the Borough. There were 6 voluntary housing associations in
the Borough who received grants on this basis in respect of 95
elderly people. The total contribution by the local authority was
£4,500 for the year.
45. The Housing Department managed 301 units of special
accommodation where a warden's service was available. The total
expenditure incurred in the provision of wardens' services and
other communal facilities amounted to £9,800 and was met by the
Welfare Services Sub-Committee. The allocation of tenancies was
undertaken by the Housing Department. Many authorities consider
that the most effective use of sheltered housing is achieved when
the social service departments participate in the appointment of
wardens and the allocation of tenancies.
Meals and Recreation for the Elderly
46. The annual grant paid to the Bromley Old People's Welfare
Joint Committee includes a meals subsidy of 1/- per meal provided
either at old people's luncheon clubs or delivered to individual
homes by the meals-on-wheels service; payment is also made for
the acquisition and upkeep of the vehicles used for delivering meals.
In 1966/67, 3 new vans were purchased to enable new services to
be provided to elderly people living in the Biggin Hill and St.
Paul's Cray areas and to augment the existing services in Bromley
and Chislehurst. There are now 12 vehicles operating the mealson-wheels
service in the Borough. In 1966/67, 95,426 meals were
provided at luncheon clubs or by the meals-on-wheels service. The
Old People's Welfare Committees in the Borough work in close
relationship with the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and the
British Red Cross Society in carrying on the meals service. The
grant to the Old People's Welfare Committee provides for
assistance in the running costs of day centres as well as the
boarding-out scheme, and holidays for the elderly.