Statute Law Repeals - Law Commission - Ministry of Justice

Shrewsbury Poor Relief Act of 1826
8.87 The purpose of the Shrewsbury Poor Relief Act of 1826 90 was to repeal and
replace existing legislation 91 providing for the poor living in certain parishes in
Shrewsbury. In addition to repealing the existing legislation, the 1826 Act
established local officials with authority to run the existing workhouse (situated in
the parish of Meole Brace), supervise the provision of relief to the poor of
Shrewsbury and levy rates to cover their costs.
8.88 The 1826 Act has long been unnecessary. The workhouse was closed in 1871
and the Local Government Act 1929 abolished the system of parish-run poor
relief. The workhouse site is today occupied by Shrewsbury School.
Bristol Poor Relief Act of 1831
8.89 The Bristol Poor Relief Act of 1831 92 was passed to amend the powers contained
in existing legislation 93 to provide relief for the poor living in Bristol. In particular
the existing poor house in Bristol was old and decayed and unsuitable to house
either poor persons generally or “pauper lunatics” 94 in particular. Accordingly the
1831 Act authorised the purchase of a more suitable building in the parish of St
Philip and Jacob for use as an asylum for paupers and as a workhouse. The
1831 Act also supplemented the existing powers of the local guardians of the
poor.
8.90 The 1831 Act powers were duly exercised in the purchase of the Stapleton
workhouse at Blackberry Hill. The workhouse continued in use until 1930 when
the premises became used as a hospital. The 1831 Act itself became
unnecessary in 1930 when the provisions of the Local Government Act 1929,
abolishing parish-run poor relief, came into force.
Leicester Rates and Poor Relief Act of 1832
8.91 The purpose of the Leicester Rates and Poor Relief Act of 1832 95 was to provide
relief for the poor living in the parish of St Margaret in Leicester. The 1832 Act
provided for the election of thirty persons to be elected annually to a select
vestry. 96 The 1832 Act empowered the select vestry to appoint a treasurer, clerk
and other officials; to arrange the levy and collection of the poor rate; to run the
existing workhouse; and to have general care of the poor.
90 7 Geo.4 c.cxli.
91 24 Geo.3 Sess.2 c.15 (1784).
92 1 Will.4 c.iv.
93 3 Geo.4 c.xxiv (1822).
94 The 1831 Act, preamble.
95 2 & 3 Will.4 c.x.
96 A select vestry was a body of persons elected annually in large and populous English
parishes to represent and manage the concerns of the parish.
230