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(2) Where an Area is predominantly private property, the
holding of a Public Meeting shortly after the date of confirmation
by the Minister. In this event, requisite information is incorporated
in the letter sent under (1) (c).
During the year 2,468 grants amounting to £57,670 13s. 2d.
were reported to and approved by the Council. These grants
were in respect of applications for works of conversion or adaptation
carried out which had previously been proposed by the
applicants and approved by the Council within the appropriate
cost limits. However, Section 95 of the Housing Act, 1964, gives
a local authority, inter alia, discretion on the payment of grant
in respect of such works effected without prior approval. One
hundred and twenty-two discretionary grants amounting to
£2,508 4s. 7d. were so reported and approved, giving a consolidated figure of 2,590 grants totalling £60,178 17s. 9d.
In cases of financial hardship, a local authority also has
discretion under Section 12(1) of the Clean Air Act, to pay
more than the 7/10ths grant. The Council decided to pay the
full cost of reasonable and necessary works of conversion or
adaptation in the case of application from owner/occupiers who
are retirement pensioners and in receipt of National Assistance.
Twelve such payments were approved in the year. A further
seven payments were approved in respect of retirement pensioners
who, although not in receipt of National Assistance, would have
been so entitled had they chosen to apply. These additional
costs are now borne jointly by the local authority and the Government as provided in Section 95 (7) of the Housing Act, 1964,
and the Government contribution in these cases is 4/7ths of the
grant paid.
The Council, in respect of 271 late applications, authorised
the service of statutory notices under Section 12 (2) of the Clean
Air Act, 1956, thereby enabling the payment of grant.
Section 3 of the Clean Air Act requires that new furnaces
not used mainly for domestic purposes and exceeding a capacity
of 55,000 B.T.U's. shall, as far as practicable, be smokeless. Any
person installing such a furnace must give prior notice to the
Council and may submit detailed plans and specifications for the
Council's approval before the works of installation commence.
Two approvals were given in 1965.
In the Summer, preliminary arrangements for the formation
of two further Smoke Control Areas were completed and the
Council declared both Areas on 14th July, 1965. Details of these
Areas are as follows :—