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NOTE. + As this will be governed by progress of
Clearance Area programme, the rehousing
and derequisitioning programme, it is
impossible to predict accurately., A
token figure of 50 is suggested for
item (ix)
These proposals are still subject to negotiation between
the Council and the London County Council.
Housing Act, 1949 — Improvement Grants
Circular 36/54 dated 20th April, 1954, issued by the
Ministry of Housing and Local Government, stated that the
Government desired to give every possible encouragement to
local authorities and private owners who wish to modernise
and make better use of existing houses by improvements and
conversions,,
The following points were made by the Circular
(a) Works of improvement or conversion need no longer
be reckoned as part of the local authority's approved
programme of new house building.
(b) Local authorities may themselves approve applications
for grant submitted by private owners, instead of having to
refer to the Minister. In special cases, e.g. where it
may be desired to invoke the Minister's power to waive
specified requirements, local authorities can still approach
the Minister. Improvement or conversion schemes undertaken
by a local authority will continue to require the Minister's
approval.
(c) The requirements which the Minister has now specified
for a dwelling in respect of which an improvement grant is
to be made are as follows
The dwelling must, after improvement or conversion
1. be in a good state of repair and substantially
free from damp;
2. have each room properly lighted and ventilated;
3. have an adequate supply of wholesome water laid
on inside the dwelling;
4. be provided with efficient and adequate means
of supplying hot water for domestic purposes;
5. have an internal or otherwise readily accessible
water closet;
6. have a fixed bath (or shower) preferably in a
separate room?
7. be provided with a sink or sinks and with
suitable arrangements for the disposal of waste
water;
8. have a proper drainage system;
9. be provided in each room with adequate points for
gas or electric lighting (where reasonably
available);
10. be provided with adequate facilities for heating;
11. have satisfactory facilities for storing,
preparing and cooking food;
12. have proper provision for the storage of fuel
(where required).
(d) Houses which lack modern services and amenities are
well on the way to permanent unfitness and the owners have
less and less incentive to maintain them properly as they
fall behind modern standards. In considering a scheme of
improvement or conversion submitted for grant, only one