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at a later date. In the meanwhile, the owner was asked to
carry out works of improvement pending further action with
regard to the acquisition of this property.
Sydney Square, Albert and Derwent Buildings, Latona Road.
These blocks of flats presented somewhat similar difficulties
to those at Goldsmith Mansions, and following the receipt of
numerous complaints from residents, schedules were prepared
for the repair of 81 of the dwellings under the provisions of Section
9 of the Housing Act, 1936. The matter was referred to the
Planning Committee to consider whether these properties should
be acquired for demolition and development of the site. In
the meanwhile, action was continued by this Council under the
provisions of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, to secure
the abatement of nuisances.
Overcrowding.
Certificates of overcrowding were forwarded to the Housing
Departments of both the Borough Council and London County
Council in respect of 81 cases of overcrowding which came to the
notice of the Public Health Department during the year.
Thirty-three overcrowded families were rehoused during
1956 ; 20 by the Borough Council and 13 by the London County
Council.
Housing Applications.
A scheme was brought into operation in May, 1955, to assess
the degree of priority which should be awarded to those applications
for rehousing which are supported by medical certificates.
In these cases the Public Health Inspector visits the applicants
to report on the home conditions. This information is entered
on a special pro forma which is then sent to the patient's doctor
with a request to enter thereon his observations and recommendations.
When returned to the Public Health Department the
circumstances are considered by a medical panel comprising the
Medical Officer of Health, a Consultant Physician and a local
General Medical Practitioner who consider the appropriate degree
of priority which should be recommended.
During 1956, 515 cases were dealt with in this way and the
following is a summary of the recommendations made by the
Medical Officer of Health:
(a) Immediate and Urgent 173
(b) Less Urgent 149
(c) No recommendation 193
Total 515