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representatives to meet representatives of the Harrow Old People's Welfare
Committee to discuss (1) possible arrangements for increasing and extending
the present services for old people in the Borough, (2) a suggestion of
increasing the Council's representation on the Harrow Old People's
Welfare Committee, and (3) a suggestion that reports of the Harrow Old
People's Welfare Committee and of its sub-committees should be submitted
to the General Purposes Committee and the Public Health Committee.
This meeting was held on the 12th March. The various suggestions as
to the future arrangements made at this meeting were referred to the
Old People's Welfare Committee. When this Committee met on June
9th, it was resolved that consideration be given at the annual meeting of
the Old People's Welfare Committee to (1) the formation of an Executive
Committee to control and receive reports from the Home Visiting and
Meals Services sub-committees, and (2) a possible extension of the membership
of the Harrow Old People's Welfare Committee.
The Council indicated to the Harrow Old People's Welfare Committee
that they would sympathetically consider increasing their annual grant
to the Committee to permit of the suggested extended services for old
people in the borough, including the possible appointment of a wholetime
Welfare Organiser. At their annual meeting in July, the Harrow Old
People's Welfare Committee approved in principle the appointment of
a full-time Welfare Organiser. The duties of such officer were to be
(1) arranging for home visiting, (2) advising on all services available
to the aged, including liaison with the various existing statutory and
voluntary organisations and (3) promoting a holiday scheme and assisting
with any shows, functions or services provided by the Old People's
Welfare Committee. The Borough Council accepted this suggestion, and
resolved that the Middlesex County Council be asked to bear the cost
of the new appointment of Welfare Organiser for old people's services
in the borough, in addition to the cost of the part-time Co-ordinating
Officer for the home visiting of old people.
The work of the Old People's Welfare Committee is being brought
closer to that of the Borough Council by the Council's representation
on the Committee being increased by that of the Chairman of the General
Purposes Committee and the Chairman of the Public Health Committee.
It is also agreed that reports of the quarterly meeting of the Executive
Committee would be sent to the Council's General Purposes Committee.
There have, in the course of the year, been certain decisions which
will improve the lot of the aged in the district.
Housing.
Safety. The Housing Committee decided to provide fireguards in
their dwellings for old people and to instal safety rails to baths.
Removal Expenses. At their meeting in February, the Housing
Committee decided to make enquiries about the powers of the Counci
to re-imburse removal expenses incurred by old people in approved cases
when granted tenancies of municipal dwellings.