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In the latter months of 1923, it was fell that the time had arrived when, in view of the
reduction in the cost of works of reparation, the Council might reasonably proceed to institute
more active measures, and they considered what further steps they could take to improve
the standard of housing conditions, particularly in regard to houses let in lodgings. A
Sub-Committee of the Public Health Committee was appointed and, as a result of their enquiries
and deliberations, a Special Council Meeting was called for January 11th, 1923. At this Meeting
a series of resolutions, embodied in the report of the Sub-Committee, were approved by the
Council. It was then generally agreed that the scheme of work outlined in these resolutions would,
if systematically carried out, materially improve the conditions existing in a large number of the
tenement houses in the poorer parts of the Borough.
The Council will expect the work of the past year, in pursuance of the policy laid down by
them in January, 1923, to be set out fully in this report and, therefore, I propose to quote the
resolutions seriatim and to state what has been achieved in regard to each.
RESOLUTION "A."—That a specified minimum (say not less than 400) of "tenement houses,"
or houses intended for the working classes which are let in lodgings or
oclupied by members of more than one family, be registered annually.
RESOLUTION "B."—That a temporary Sanitary Inspector be engaged to enable the inspection,
measuring, etc., of the houses proposed to be placed on the
register to be carried out.
The Council proceeded to appoint a Temporary Sanitary Inspector, and the sanction thereto
having been obtained from the Minister of Health, the officer appointed commenced work on May
1st, 1923. By the end of the year, 236 houses in the Golborne Ward had been inspected and
measured by the Temporary Inspector and placed on the Council's Register of Houses Let in
Lodgings*
The total number of houses inspected by this officer was 242, but owing to the conditions of
occupation the Public Health Committee decided not to recommend registration of six.
The number of visits paid by the Temporary Inspector to these houses was 967.
The drains were tested in every case and 21 notices were served in respect of the defects found.
Nine of the houses inspected did not possess one W.C. apartment for every 12 occupants, as required
by the County Council's by-laws, and notices were served calling for additional accommodation in
each case. In 31 cases where the only water tap was in the basement, an additional supply was
required under Section 78 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1907. In addition
to the defects mentioned above, many houses were found to have dirty and defective ceilings and
walls, defective roofs, dampness, and other common defects. The Sanitary Notices served in
respect of the defects found in the 242 houses dealt with by the Temporary inspector were as
follows:—
Intimation Notices 278
Statutory Notices 45
Final Notices 11
By the end of the year, 52 of these houses had been brought up to the highest possible
standard which can be enforced under the Public Health Act and the By-laws made thereunder,
and were transferred from the care of the Temporary Sanitary Inspector to the Inspector in
charge of the District.
In all other cases the work of repair was in progress at the end of the year, and at the present
time (May, 1924) practically all the repairs required have been completed.
It is pleasing to be able to report that the work called for in the 278 intimation notices served
by the Temporary Inspector has been carried out so satisfactorily that in only two cases has it
been found necessary to issue summonses.
RESOLUTION "C."—That the landlord or owner of any tenement house or house let in lodgings
be required to provide and maintain, in connection with such house,
water closet accommodation in the proportion of not less than one
water closet for every twelve persons. (By-law 26 made by the
London County Council under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891).
RESOLUTION "D."—That a proper and sufficient provision for the supply of water for domestic
purposes be required on the upper storeys of tenement houses.
(London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1907, Section 78).
RESOLUTION "E."—That the regulations prescribed by the Council with regard to underground
rooms be strictly enforced.
These Resolutions do not apply only to those houses in the area being dealt with by the
Temporary Sanitary Inspector, but to the Borough generally.
It was not possible for the requirements to be enforced forthwith in all houses in the
Borough, and it was, therefore, necessary to decide upon a scheme of work to be followed by the
staff of the Public Health Department with a view to securing, in the most effective manner
possible, the wishes of the Council.
•At the time of writing this report (May, 1924) the Temporary Inspector has completed twelve months' work and
I am able to record that the total of 400 per annum, suggested in Resolution "A," has been exceeded.