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Other schemes for building new housing accommodation are in
various stages of preparation.
UNDERGROUND ROOM REGULATIONS
During the year the Council gave consideration to the revision
of their Underground Room Regulations to bring them into conformity
with new model regulations issued by the Minister of Housing and Local
Government.
The Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee also
considered this matter and suggested amendments to the model regulations,
some of which were accepted by the Minister. Following the
acceptance of the amendments, the Standing Joint Committee recommended
their constituent councils to submit for approval revised regulations
in the form of the amended model issued by the Minister.
The main alteration is that the amended Regulations will
allow greater flexibility in dealing with dampness. Where dampness is
slight, comparatively minor works may be adequate but, on the other
hand, where dampness is serious, it will still be possible to insist on
the provision of a horizontal or vertical damp-proof course and a
concrete oversite.
The revised Regulations were made by the Council on 12th
February, 1963, and were confirmed by the Minister of Housing and Local
Government. They came into force on 29th April, 1963.
FACTORIES
Section 153(l) of the Factories Act, 1961, requires the
Medical Officer of Health to make an annual report in regard to the
Council's functions under the Act. The following tables give the
prescribed particulars in the form requested by the Ministry of
Health in Circular No.1/64, dated 13th January, 1964.