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28
SECTION D.
Housing.
General.
It is estimated that there are 9,890 houses in the Borough.
Unfortunately a very considerable proportion are dilapidated
and outworn, and incapable at a reasonable expense of being reconditioned
to comply with modern standards. Deterioration is
proceeding almost as rapidly as temporary improvements can be
effected. Nevertheless it can be accepted that there was some
betterment during the year. Again much of the property was
built many years ago and is unsuitable for conversion into the type of
accommodation that it is desired to provide at the present time.
Until such time as demolition and rebuilding can be carried out on an
extensive scale, it is clear that every effort must be exercised to
preserve houses wherever possible and prevent the falling off of
even those amenities that are available to residents.
Most of the work to secure this has been undertaken under the
Public Health Act by informal action.
Proceedings under the Housing Act.
No representations were made and no notices served under
Section 9 and 10 of the Housing Act, 1936 requiring notices to be
served.
163 House to House inspections were carried out.
Two representations were made under Section 11 that premises
were unfit for habitation and could not at a reasonable expense
be made fit as follows:—
1. In respect of a tenement house. The representation was
agreed by the Council, proposals by theowners not having
been accepted, and a Demolition Order was made, but
the house had not been demolished by the end of the year.
2. In respect of buildings comprising 60 tenements. This
was under consideration by the Council at the end of the
year.
Closing orders were made in respect of 5 flats being part of a
large block which had been the subject of representations made
previously.