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During the year much discussion took place on the
Report of the Royal Commission on Local Government in
Greater London. The Borough Council's evidence to the
Commission had strongly stressed that local services
should be locally administered. The Commission in its
Report fully recognised the essential local nature of
these services and went considerably further than the
proposals which had previously been agreed between the
County Council and the Metropolitan Boroughs for the
re-transfer of the personal health services to Metropolitan
Boroughs.
The Commission recommended that, in addition to the
whole of the personal health services, the welfare services,
i.e. both domiciliary and residential for old people, for
children, for the disabled, and for the homeless, should
be transferred to revised and generally enlarged Greater
London Boroughs. The Woolwich boundaries, however, would
remain unchanged.
The Commission considered that the personal health,
welfare and children's services should be in the hands of
the same authority, and the authority should be that also
responsible for the housing and environmental health
services.
There has been much support for the Commission's views
on the future administration of the health services in
London, and so far as these services are concerned the
Borough Council in submitting its views on the Royal
Commission's proposals to the Minister welcomed the
Commission's proposals to transfer these services to the
Boroughs.
Lastly, may I take this opportunity of thanking the
Chairman and Members of the Health Committee, and other
Members of the Council, for their support during the year,
and also thank the staff of the Health Department for the
interest shown and the good work done by them during the
year.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
T. STANDRING.
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