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107
In November, 1929, the premises had, however, fallen into
such a derelict condition that on the report of the Medical Officer
of Health the Housing Committee recommended the Council to
make a Demolition Order, which order was subsequently made.
In considering the question of demolition, the Housing Committee
were of opinion that it would be advantageous for the Council
to acquire this site and certain of the adjoining houses. Nos.
3 and 5 were purchased in 1931 and negotiations for the purchase
of Nos. 7, 9 and 11 were completed early in 1932.
Underground Rooms.
No Closing Orders were made by the Council in respect of
underground rooms during 1931.
Increase of Rent, &c., Acts.
During 1931, 12 applications were received from tenants for the
certificate, and 7 from owners for the report of the Sanitary Authority
under the above-mentioned statutes. The application for the
certificate was granted in 8 cases and refused in 4 cases ; that for
the report was granted in all cases.
Action under Section 5 of the Housing Act, 1925.
During 1931 in 20 cases (relating to 26 houses) contraventions
of section 5 of the Housing Act, 1925, which requires, under penalty,
a rent book to be kept in a prescribed form, were reported to the
Housing Committee. In all cases satisfactory explanations having
been received and the rent books put in order, no legal proceedings
were considered necessary, but the Housing Committee directed
cautionary letters to be sent to the offenders.
Insanitary Areas.
No additional insanitary areas were represented to the Council
during 1931.
In connection with the Plough Road Improvement Scheme,
as stated in the Annual Report for 1928, the Council, by the
acquisition by purchase of other properties in the original area
represented, were able to extend and improve the scheme and
so make provision for three more blocks (eighteen tenements).
The third block was completed during the year.
During the year the Council took advantage of opportunities
that arose to acquire certain properties which were in the areas
originally represented in York Road and Plough Road so that the
Plough Road Improvement Scheme could be further extended
and improved.