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in which there is a tenancy agreement that Council tenants shall
burn only smokeless fuel. At the end of the year plans were in hand
for the provisional declaration by the Council of three Smoke Contrcl
Areas, namely part of the Abbey Wood Area, part of the Middle Park
Area of Eltham, and a portion of the St. Mary's Redevelopment Area
in Woolwich.
The needs of the elderly in the Borough are very much the
concern of the Borough Council at the present time. The Council
is doing all it can by means of its own services and by financial
assistance to voluntary bodies working for the welfare of the
elderly to make the lives of these persons more comfortable and
enjoyable. Although the services available through the various
statutory and voluntary bodies in the Borough cannot be said to
touch the lives of every individual aged person, this work is
extending and becoming more varied. Experience of the housing of
elderly persons, especially those being displaced from slum
properties shows that there is need for an increase of one-bedroom
accommodation in the Borough for persons who can and should be able
to live a more or less normal life in the privacy of their own
home for as long as possible. This is being met by the Council.
During the year there were no further developments concerning
the proposals discussed and agreed by the County Council and
Metropolitan Boroughs to transfer the personal health services back
to the Metropolitan Boroughs, although discussions have continued
between the various bodies and also with the Minister.
The year 1956 saw the retirement of Mr, C.J. Couch, who had been
Chief Sanitary Inspector at Woolwich since 1938, having had 33 years'
service with the Council as a Sanitary Inspector. Mr, Couch left
with the good wishes of everyone. The Council appointed Mr. F.A.
Andrew, who has served the Council as an Inspector for 28 years, and
latterly was Senior Food Inspector, to succeed him. He has,
therefore, a wide knowledge of the district and work, and I wish
him well in his new post.
In conclusion I welcome this opportunity of acknowledging the
help and co-operation I have received from the Members of the Council
and from other Chief Officers. I should also like to thank the
staff of my Department for their continued good work and valuable
support during the year.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
T. STANDRING.
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