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19
Accommodation for Costermongers
The general condition of mews dwellings in the borough
has received much attention from the public health viewpoint
for many years. In certain of the mewsways occupied by
persons of the street trading class, the stable accommodation
is used for storage etc., and difficulties constantly arise
owing to the nature of the businesses carried on.
In connection with the policy of clearing unsatisfactory
mews dwellings, the Council appreciated that street traders
must have storage accommodation for their horses, vehicles,
barrows and goods. Accordingly, the London County Council were
requested to promote legislation to enable the Borough Council
to provide accommodation for costermongers, who might be
displaced from unfit mewsways.
On 28th July, 1950, the London County Council (General
Powers) Act, 1950, Section 35, came into operation enabling
the Borough Council to provide and maintain storage and
stabling accommodation for use by street traders and other
like persons displaced by reason of the exercise by the
Council of their powers under the Housing Acts 1936/1949 or
by the acquisition of lands under any other enactment.
It is satisfactory to know that Kensington were pioneers
in this matter and that steps are being taken to extend these
special powers throughout the Administrative County.
Overcrowding
All cases of overcrowding are considered by the special
Sub-Committee of the Public Health Committee with a view to
deciding what action should be taken. The following are
details of the oases dealt with in 1950:-
1. New cases reported to the Sub-Committee during 1950 168
(a) Cases in which the Sub-Committee recommended
that alternative accommodation should be
offered by the Council 92
(b) Cases in which proceedings were ordered to be
taken without prior offer of alternative
accommodation 25
(c) Cases where action was postponed 47
(d) Cases withdrawn or where no action was taken 4
2. Cases of overcrowding abated during the year 128