London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Battersea 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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115
During the year five cases of overcrowding in such circumstances
as to create an offence under the Act were reported, but in only
two of them was it necessary to serve notice upon both the landlord
and the tenant requiring the abatement of the overcrowding.
These notices had not expired at the end of the year. In two of the
other cases the overcrowding was abated by removal, and in the
remaining case by a reduction in the number of persons residing
in the dwelling.
During the year 16 families who were living under overcrowded
or other insanitary conditions were accommodated on the Council's
Housing Estates on the recommendation of the Medical Officer of
Health.
In addition 151 applications for housing accommodation were referred to the London County Council for special consideration on the grounds of hardship or overcrowding. The following table shows the result of such action:—
| Referred in previous years but not then dealt with. | Referred in 1937. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Families accommodated | 23 | 36 | 59 |
| Offer declined or applicant otherwise suited | 11 | 10 | 21 |
| Recommendation not accepted by the London County Council | 8 | 14 | 22 |
| Still under consideration | 40 | 91 | 131 |
| Totals | 82 | 151 | 233 |
| In addition 151 applications for housing accommodation were referred to the London County Council for special consideration on the grounds of hardship or overcrowding. The following table shows the result of such action:— | |||
| Referred in previous years but not then dealt with. | Referred in 1937. | Total. | |
| Families accommodated | 23 | 36 | 59 |
| Offer declined or applicant otherwise suited | 11 | 10 | 21 |
| Recommendation not accepted by the London County Council | 8 | 14 | 22 |
| Still under consideration | 40 | 91 | 131 |
| Totals | 82 | 151 | 233 |
It is the practice of the London County Council to notify the
Medical Officer of Health of the families resident in the Borough
who have been accommodated on their estates. During the year
273 Battersea families were provided with accommodation on
London County Council estates outside the Borough. Accommodation
was also provided by them at Peterhead House, Battersea
Bridge Buildings or Durham Buildings for 73 other Battersea families.
Clearance Areas.
Lothair Street Area and Livingstone Road and Winstanley Road
Area.—The dwelling houses comprised in these areas, reference to
which was made in the annual report of the Medical Officer of
Health for 1936, were demolished during the year.
With regard to the buildings in Winstanley Road, which, as
recorded, were excluded from the Order made by the Minister of
Health after public inquiry, the owners gave the necessary formal
undertaking which enabled the Council to deal with the premises
under Demolition Order procedure (vide page 117).