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From the time the council hrst started this class of work about ten years ago to 31st December,
1931, their total expenditure in carrying out work in default of owners has been £3,244 10s. 0d.,
and the total amount recovered has been £2,643 7s. 0d. In the case of one debt, interest amounting
to £2 has been waived. The remaining outstanding sum continues to be a charge upon the premises
and, together with interest, is being collected by the council.
The council have not incurred any financial loss in this work with the exception of the small
item of £2 which they cancelled.
A conspicuous feature of the work under section 17 during the year 1931 has been the absence
of difficulty encountered by the council's staff in dealing with owners and tenants. There was
much opposition to this type of work in earlier days; but it has disappeared and the change is
due to the fact that owners generally have recognised that the council have been reasonable in
their requirements but firm in their intention that these shall be carried out.
During the entire year, there has not been one instance where the council have been obstructed
in exercising their powers. Furthermore, there have been during the year no appeals to higher
authority against the action of the council.
As the result of long experience, a very efficient system has been evolved. Excellent work
is being carried out, and there is no doubt that, by the exercise of their powers under the Housing
Acts, the council are securing a much higher standard of comfort and habitability in the working
class housing accommodation in the borough.
CLEARANCE AREAS.
Since November, 1930, I have submitted representations to the council to the effect that the
dwelling houses in the undermentioned areas are, by reason of disrepair or sanitary defects, unfit for
human habitation or are, by reason of their bad arrangement, or the narrowness or bad
arrangement of the streets, dangerous or injurious to the health of the inhabitants of the area,
and that the other buildings in the area are for like reasons dangerous or injurious to the health
of the inhabitants. I have also expressed the opinion that the most satisfactory method of
dealing with the conditions in the areas is the demolition of all the buildings therein.
No. of occupants.
(i) Nos. 1, 3 and 5, Adair Road, and 86, 88 and 90 Southam Street 112
(ii) Nos. 36 to 52 (inclusive), Talbot Grove, 1 to 13 (inclusive),
Talbot Mews, and 23 to 26 (inclusive), Talbot Mews 170
(iii) Wornington Mews (including No. 88, Wornington Road) 29
(iv) Barker Street 257
In each case the council declared these areas to be clearance areas and passed appropriate
resolutions.
In view of the difficulty of securing alternative accommodation for persons who would be
displaced by the demolition of the insanitary property in these areas, it was decided to proceed
in the first place with the Talbot Mews area. By the compulsory acquisition and demolition
of several other properties adjoining this area, it is possible to build on the cleared site accommodation
for a larger number of persons than those residing there. Such a course will enable a
number of persons to be transferred subsequently to vacant accommodation at Talbot Mews
from other clearance areas so that demolitions can proceed expeditiously within these other areas
without creating hardship by displacing people from their homes without offering them alternative
accommodation.
In due course, the Talbot Mews scheme was submitted to the Minister of Health; a local
enquiry was held on September 17th and the Minister's confirmation was subsequently received.
Preparations are now well in hand and the actual work of demolition has commenced.
OTHER AREAS REQUIRING ATTENTION.
The council have had before them representations that the following areas call for attention.
Gadsden Mews.
This is an area comprising 14 mews dwellings which should be regarded as a small clearance
area. It is not desirable that new houses should be erected on the site after demolition owing to
the fact that it is rather closed in by surrounding buildings. In view of the difficulty of securing
alternative accommodation, this area might be left until the housing shortage becomes less acute.