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74
CERTIFICATES OF DISREPAIR IN RELATION TO
DWELLING HOUSES
The Council's duty to issue certificates of disrepair in respect of "rent control led"
dwelling houses, not reasonably suitable for occupation, is governed by the Rent Act, 1957.
No applications were received or certificates issued during the year.
OVERCROWDING
All cases of overcrowding are dealt with on the strict interpretation of the standards
laid down in the Housing Act, 1957: distinguishing between "penal" and "non-penal" cases.
The number of new cases of overcrowding reported to the Committee during 1965
was 88, giving an equivalent number of persons of 362½. The total number of overcrowding
cases which were recorded during the year as having been abated was 131, comprising a
total of 528 units.
ASSESSMENT OF HOUSING PRIORITIES ON MEDICAL GROUNDS
During the year, 207 applications for rehousing on medical grounds were examined,
and recommendations for the award of additional points were made to the Chief Housing
Officer. In each case the precise medical condition and resultant disability were determined
(frequently necessitating communication with the family doctor or with the hospital
attended). The premises were inspected in detail to ascertain the extent and nature of the
existing accommodation; the adequacy of day and sleeping space; sanitary or structural
defects, and the existence of inconveniences, such as stairs, which might be prejudicial to
the patient.
On this information and that supplied by the Chief Housing Officer an assessment
of points to be awarded on medical grounds was made in 187 cases.
FACTORIES
Section 153 (1) of theFactories 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. 1/66, dated 11th January, 1966:-