Poor Relief - Law Commission

Reference Extent of repeal or revocation
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36 Geo.3 c.102 (1796)
(Lincoln Poor Relief Act)
The whole Act.
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36 Geo.3 c.102 (1796) (Lincoln Poor Relief Act)
1. This note proposes the repeal of an obsolete 1796 Act passed to provide relief
for the poor living in the City of Lincoln.
2. According to its long title, the purpose of the 1796 Act was:
the better Relief and Employment of the Poor of the several Parishes within
the City of Lincoln, and County of the same City, and of the Parish of Saint
Margaret, Part whereof lies within the said City, and the other Part in the
Close of Lincoln, in the County of Lincoln.
3. The preamble to the 1796 Act recorded that the poor of the several parishes
within the City and County of Lincoln and within the parish of St Margaret were:
“very numerous and burthensome to their respective Parishes, and they might
be better and more comfortably maintained and supported, and at less
Expence than they are at present, if a convenient House or Houses were
provided for their Reception … and for employing such as are able to work,
which would also tend to the more effectual Relief, Assistance, and
Accommodation of such as by Age, Infirmities, or Disease, are rendered
incapable of supporting themselves by their Labour …”.
4. The 1796 Act provided as follows:
(a) the part of the parish of St Margaret within the Close of Lincoln was
deemed to be within the City of Lincoln; appointment of guardians of the
poor and their incorporation under the name of “The Guardians of the
Poor within the City of Lincoln and Liberties thereof” (“the Guardians”);
first meeting of the Guardians to be held on 2 August 1796 (sections 1
and 2)
(b) provision for appointment of Directors from the ranks of the Guardians;
provision for City Aldermen to be elected as Directors; provision for
appointment of new Directors; churchwardens and overseers required to
hold vestry meetings; penalty for failing to accept office of Director within
ten days; no Director to be re-elected as such within three years of
ceasing to hold office; Director’s oath of office; provision for additional
Directors; quarterly meetings of Directors; appointment of auditors;
powers of auditors; weekly meetings of Directors; appointment of
chairman to meetings; proof of qualification as Guardian; women able to
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