RECORDS OF THE CHATHAM LOCAL BOARD OF GUARDIANS

LBG

1802-1955

fonds

The Chatham Local Board of Guardians was established by an Act of Parliament of 1802, which in effect enlarged the existing parish vestry into an independent statutory authority, vested with new powers to levy rates and to be democratically accountable. The powers of the Board were greatly limited by the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834, under the provisions of which the new Medway Board of Guardians was brought into being. Under this legislation, the Local Board lost control of the workhouse and in-relief, but were able to continue to provide out-relief, acting as a rating authority. This power came to an end with the Rating and Valuation Act 1925, while the Poor Law Union system itself was abolished in 1930. Added to the statutory undermining of the Board's historical position and purpose, further controversy occurred in the matter of the disposal of the Board's considerable funds, leading to Charity Commission intervention and the passing of the Chatham Charities Act 1955, by which the remaining Board functions were assumed by the Chatham Charity Trustees, who are still active, under the auspices of the local authority. The original board first met in St. Mary's vestry room, then in St. Mary's School, later as guests of the Medway Board of Guardians in the boardroom at the Chatham Workhouse, and finally at Chatham Town Hall.

The Local Board of Guardians should not be confused with the Board of Guardians of the Medway Poor Law Union (collection G/ME). See also the Chatham parish records (P85) and the Chatham Borough Council archives (CBA), the latter including a long series of Chatham parish rate books (CBA/N2/1-198) which were almost certainly acquired from the civil parish officers of Chatham by the Local Board of Guardians originally, and ultimately relinquished to Chatham Borough Council owing to the 1955 Act or the use of Chatham Town Hall as their meeting place and record store.