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bringing the work of the Committee closer to that of the Council. One of
the outcomes of this meeting was the suggestion of the appointment of a
whole-time officer. Apart from there being the need for someone to be
responsible for the work of extending the various branches of activity
which already help the aged, there is the need for someone to help individual
cases in need of various forms of assistance but for which work no
one is at present responsible, and also for setting-up some machinery to
ensure that ageing people are put in touch with the various services at
some stage before they have broken down and so need admission to a
Part III home or possibly to a hospital. The duties of such an officer were
set out as including:—
1. Liaising with voluntary organisations and bodies; and with
officers of the Borough Council, the Middlesex County Council
(as Welfare Authority), and the National Assistance Board.
2. The collection and maintenance of records of old people.
3. The conduct of the old people's home visiting service, and the
co-ordination of voluntary assistance in home visiting.
4. The supervision of the old people's meals service operated by the
Harrow Old People's Welfare Committee.
5. Liaising with the Women's Voluntary Services in regard to
W. V. S. "Meals on Wheels" services for infirm old people.
6. The supervision and carrying out of schemes for holidays for
old people.
7. The giving of talks to local organisations to foster and stimulate
their interest in the welfare of old people.
8. Attendance at meetings of the Harrow Old People's Welfare
Committee and its Sub-Committees ; and attendance, as required,
at any meeting of a Committee of the Borough Council
when the subject of old people's welfare is under consideration.
9. Such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the
Harrow Old People's Welfare Committee or the Town Clerk.
The Committee appointed Miss D. M. Guyatt who took up her
duties in September. She is appointed under the general direction of the
Town Clerk, being included on the staff of the Town Clerk's Department.
Arrangements for Meals. The Old People's Luncheon Clubs at the
North Harrow and the Belmont Assembly Halls continued as on previous
lines. Preliminary steps were taken for the erection of a hall on the
allotment site at Roche Avenue, where similar facilities would be made
available to those living in that area.
For the housebound, the Womens Voluntary Service continued to
provide meals by their "Meals on Wheels" service.
To meet the cost of these services, the Council made a contribution
at the rate of £1,150 per annum, for the financial year ending 31st March,
1961, respect of the cost of the operation by the Harrow Old People's