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94
OTHER WELFARE SERVICES
(a) Receivership
The Chief Welfare Officer was appointed by the Borough
Council to act in matters of receivership. A receivership is
required where, after considering medical evidence, the Court of
Protection is satisfied that a person is incapable of managing
and administering his or her property and affairs. The appointment
of a receivership is at the discretion of the Court and it may happen
that, although action has been taken to secure a receivership, it
does not necessarily mean that the Chief Welfare Officer is eventually
appointed as it may be that a relative or the official solicitor is
appointed instead.
At the commencement of the year under review, the Chief
Welfare Officer acted as receiver in two cases but one lady died and
at the end of the year there was one active case; another case is
pending and is under the consideration of the Court of Protection.
(b) Burial and Cremation
The National Assistance Act, 1948, Section 30. places upon
the Borough Council a duty to arrange for the burial or cremation of
a body of any person who has died or who has been found dead in the
borough, and in any case where it appears that no suitable arrangements
for the disposal of the body can or have been made.
During the year arrangements were made for four burials.
There were no cremations.
(c) Safeguarding Property
The Borough Council also has a duty under Section 48 of
the National Assistance Act, 1948, to protect the property of persons
who are unable to care for their personal effects whilst undergoing
a period in hospital or who are admitted to a residential home, and
where there are no relatives or friends prepared to assume this
responsibility. During the year action was taken in twelve cases.