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63
Housing and Town Planning, &c., Act, 1909.
This Act imposes upon Sanitary Authorities duties of a most
important character in connection with the sanitation of house
property. Under section 17 (1) the duty devolves upon the Sanitary
Authority " to cause to be made from time to "time inspection
of their district, with a view to ascertain whether any dwellinghouse
therein is in a state so dangerous or injurious to health as
to be unfit for human habitation, and for that purpose it shall be
the duty of the local authority and of every officer of the local
authority to comply with such regulations, and to keep such
records as may be prescribed by the Local Government Board."
The Board made an Order dated 2nd September, 1910, prescribing
regulations under section 17 (1) of the Act.
During the year closing orders were made by the Council
under section 17 (1) Housing and Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909,
in respect of Nos. 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, and 27, Little Europa Place,
which were represented by the Medical Officer of Health in a
special report to the Council in October, 1911. The property in
question was subsequently acquired and demolished for building
purposes by a large manufacturing firm in order to extend their
premises, and no further action by the Council in the enforcement
of the Order was therefore necessary.
The dwelling-house, No. 58, Lavender Road, was represented
to the Council by the Medical Officer of Health as being unfit for
human habitation. As most of the works of repairs were carried
out, the consideration of the matter was adjourned for six months.
The dwelling-house No. 3, Poyntz Road, was represented to
the Council as being unfit for human habitation. The owner was
informed that unless the premises were put into a habitable state
of repair a closing order would be made by the Council. The
requirements of the Council were subsequently carried out, and
no further action was needed.
An inspection of a considerable number of insanitary dwellinghouses
was carried out by the Medical Officer of Health in various
districts of the Borough—-Nine Elms Ward, Winstanley Ward,
etc. Interviews were had with the owners, who were given to
understand that unless the requirements of the Council to put
the premises into a satisfactory condition of repair were not
carried out action would be taken under the Housing Act. As a
result the necessary works of repair were carried out under notices
under the Public Health Act, and no further action by the Council
was called for.