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the work being in hand at the time of the hearing, and a further 28 summonses were
adjourned. Abatement Orders were made in 19 instances, and in the remaining
cases fines totalling £15 with £12 14s. 6d. costs, were imposed.
Welfare of Aged and Infirm Persons.
The powers of the Borough Council to deal with the removal to suitable premises
of aged persons in need of care and attention are now derived from Section 47 of
the National Assistance Act, 1948. Where in the opinion of the Council removal
is necessary in the interests of the persons concerned, or in the interest of the general
public, the Council can apply to a Court for an Order requiring removal to suitable
premises for a period, in the first instance, of not more than three months. However,
action under this Section is limited to those persons who are suffering from a grave
chronic disease, or, being aged, infirm or physically incapable, are living in insanitary
conditions.
During the year it was found necessary to apply to the Court for a removal
Order in respect of a woman aged 65 years, living in insanitary conditions and in
need of care and attention.
A considerable amount of useful work has again been carried out by the Council
in the care of old people. There are a great many elderly persons in the Borough
who, whilst not sufficiently infirm to need institutional treatment, are living alone
and with increasing age require constant observation.
The two women inspectors of the Department made 1,162 visits to the homes
of old people during 1950. Valuable assistance was also given by the Home Nursing
Service and the Home Helps, with whom there is complete liaison.
Work, on behalf of the London County Council, on the erection of a home in
the Plumstead Common area to provide accommodation for elderly and infirm
persons was nearing completion at the end of the year. The Home, which is the
first of its kind to be specially designed and built by the London County Council
as an old persons' home, will have 92 beds. Men and women are to be accommodated,
but not persons needing special nursing care.
Metropolitan Borough Councils are responsible at the present time for the
administration of the powers contained in Section 31 of the National Assistance Act,
1948, so far as they relate to the making of contributions to the funds of voluntary
organisations who arrange for the provision of meals for old people in their own
homes, or at old people's clubs. The Council is giving financial assistance to the
Woolwich Council of Social Service who are operating an "Old People's Lunch Club"
at the Central Hall, Plumstead High Street. The amount of the contribution made
by the Council has been further increased this year. Approximately, 1,600 meals
a month are served from the Club.
The Council has also considered and approved in principle the making of a
contribution towards the cost of the service of a part-time organiser for the home
visitation of old people.
Mosquito Control.
Breeding grounds for mosquitos are provided by the marshland areas in the
Borough. In Abbey Wood, the area nearest to the marshland, considerable annoyance
has been caused in late years by this pest and extensive spraying operations
have been carried out on stagnant ponds, marsh ditches and allotment holders'
water butts, reducing this annoyance to a minimum.
During the year, fewer complaints were received and it is felt that the work of
the department is meeting with considerable success. Routine spraying is carried
out every year in the early summer, as a preventive measure.
Common Lodging Houses.
These are licensed annually by the Borough Council in accordance with the
provisions of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936. There are now only two licensed
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