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113
The maximum period for which the Local Government Board may
sanction the repayment of loans raised for housing purposes, is extended
from 60 to 80 years, and such loans are not reckoned in the debt of a
local authority for the purposes of limitation of borrowing.
An Order in Council may now be made constituting the Local
Government Board the only central authority in the County of London.
Hitherto this duty has been shared by the Local Government Board and
the Secretary of State.
If the confirming authority is satisfied that a scheme ought to have
been prepared for the improvement or reconstruction of the whole or
part of an area which has been represented, they may order the local
authority to make such a scheme as they direct. Any such order of the
confirming authority may be enforced by mandamus.
The procedure for obtaining confirmation of an improvement or
reconstruction scheme is considerably amended, and the power given to
the Local Government Board (if they think fit) to modify a scheme
which is petitioned against, must considerably facilitate the carrying of
such to an early and successful issue.
It is now no longer necessary to serve a notice on the owner of a
dwelling house before proceedings are taken for a Closing Order, if the
local authority are of the opinion that the house is not reasonably
capable of being made fit for habitation, or that the occupation thereof
should be immediately discontinued.
Where a house has to be demolished by a local authority, and the
expenses incurred are not covered by the sale of the materials, the
balance becomes a civil debt recoverable against the owner.
The recovery of possession of a dwelling house, in respect of which
a closing order has been obtained, can now be obtained by a local
authority or the owner, by the same procedure as if the local authority
or the owner were landlord.
Shops and recreation grounds may, with the consent of the Local
Government Board, be included as part of any scheme which a local
authority may be carrying through for the provision of dwelling accommodation
for the working classes.