Poor Law valuation

PCGEN

Can someone explain what does the Poor Law Valuation column mean in the 1861 census? Where was this money paid to? Is there anywhere online I can more info on this?

http://www.histpop.org/ohpr/servlet/PageBrowser2?ResourceType=Census&ResourceType=Legislation&ResourceType=Essays&ResourceType=Registrar%20General&ResourceType=TNA&SearchTerms=Poor%20Law%20Valuation%20rate&simple=yes&path=Results/Census&active=yes&titlepos=0&mno=412&pageseq=50

tabbey

The valuation was computed by the Valuation Office, based on what the valuator, following Griffith's instructions, determined was a fair yearly rent.

Rates, originally paid to the Poor Law Union, amounted to the valuation multiplied by the rate in the pound. Thus a small farmer with a valuation of £3, in an Electoral Division where the rate was three shillings per £, would pay rates of nine shillings per year. His neighbour in the next ED might have a rate of only one shilling in the pound, or perhaps five shillings per pound.
The rate per pound was based on the expenditure in each ED, divided by the valuation. Thus there was a great disparity in rates from one ED to another, all within the same Union.

Elected guardians were therefore under pressure to reduce the expenditure incurred on paupers from their ED. Too much spending = high rates, and unhappy voters, who would be inclined to change their guardian in the annual election.

As the decades went by, The Unions were given additional functions. Starting with indoor relief in the workhouse, and then outdoor relief ( the start of what we now know as Supplementary Welfare Allowanc), in 1851(Medical Charities Act) they got responsibility for dispensary doctors, 1864 for civil registration, later for Labourers Cottages in rural areas.

The Poor Law Unions were the foundation of our social welfare, public health and social housing services, not to mention the civil registration of BMD events. In 1899 Rural District Councils started to take over these functions, starting with labourers cottages. Following independence, RDCs and PLUs were abolished, most services being taken over by County Boards of Health.

Rates were charged by each Union, city and town council, and from 1899, each county council. Today only commercial premises are subject to rates, domestic rates having been abolished in the 1977 giveaway election, and farms sometime later.

PCGEN

Thanks for the info. Can you direct me to any online sources?