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Administration
I had hoped that at the end of the third year of the borough's existence that the "settling
in" period would have been established and everything proceeding smoothly and efficiently.
However, difficulties still exist and some of these are due to the fact that whilst the professional
and technical services in the department have expanded to meet growing needs, administration,
which is supportive to the field work staff, has stood still and there has been no commensurate
expansion of the administrative and clerical staff. This is regrettable and has caused a position
which is going to be difficult to rectify without drastic reappraisal of the administrative and
clerical structure.
With the competition for administrative and clerical staff among the London Boroughs,
officers are constantly leaving for greener fields elsewhere. In a modern Health and Welfare
Department it is necessary to have administrative officers who, by experience, have a good
working knowledge of the problems with which fields workers are confronted and the know-how to
give them full support in the carrying out of their duties. It is difficult to recruit staff to reach
these high ideals and it will take time to train young staff to meet the needs of the future.
During the year we had a visit from the London Boroughs' Management Services Unit, a
visit which we welcomed as we hoped that out of their enquiries fresh procedures would be evolved
and that maybe they would be able to suggest areas of work in which savings of staff time could
be obtained.
By the time that his Report is published I shall have retired from Local Government
Service. Many things need to be done, much development is desired by members and officers alike.
However, finance to do these is not always readily available. There will be many changes in the
next few years and I hope that it will be borne in mind that the most important issues are the
rights and needs of the individual who needs assistance.
W. D. Softley
Chief Administrative Officer
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