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48
(b) any changes in the incidence of expenditure due to the need to make
good the deterioration which took place during the war years ;
(c) changes between 1939 and 1953 in the frequency or extent of painting
and decoration.
A very desirable amendment to Seciton 11 of the Housing Act, 1936, was made
by the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1953, whereby a local
authority can, in lieu of making a demolition order, make a closing Order prohibiting
the use of a house for any other purpose than a purpose approved by the authority.
This is particularly beneficial when the property concerned forms part of a terrace,
and demolition would possibly render the adjoining properties unsafe, and in any
case necessitate the shoring and weatherproofing of the exposed walls.
The revocation of Defence Regulation 68 C.A., whereby it was an offence in
certain circumstances to use living accommodation for business purposes, led to
action—as far as possible—being taken under the Town and Country Planning
(Housing Accommodation) Direction Order, 1952.
A slum clearance programme of areas proposed to be dealt with during 19561960
was approved by the Council, but in view of the possibility of the Housing
Repairs and Rents Bill being placed on the statute book in the near future, this
scheme may have to be reviewed.
Considerable and increasing numbers of Cypriots have arrived in the Borough
and the co-operation of the Commissioner on behalf of the Cyprus Government is
appreciated. Notice of the intended arrival to particular addresses in the Borough
is given by the Commissioner, and is always followed up by visits to the premises
concerned by the Sanitary Inspectors of this Department. Details of the proposed
living conditions are obtained, and particularly as to whether additional persons
would cause overcrowding under the Housing Act, 1936, or whether any other
special adverse sanitary circumstances would occur. By this method it is possible
to exercise some form of control, but since persons are not restricted once they have
been allowed to enter the country, it is not possible for this Department to exercise
complete supervision or control once they are resident in the Borough ; in fact it
has been found that immigrants arriving at an approved address often do not stay,
but move to other accommodation in respect of which this Department has no
information.
During the year 311 notifications were received from the Commissioner, of
which 243 were acceptable on housing grounds in the first place. 56 applications
could not be recommended as overcrowding would have resulted. In 6 further
cases which could not be recommended in the first instance, it was later found
possible, by a rearrangement or additional accommodation being found in the home
premises, to approve the applications. In 8 cases, however, it was necessary to draw
the attention of the Commissioner to the fact that there was already serious over
crowding at addresses in which immigrants intended to live.
The 311 applications refer to 459 persons comprising :
155 Male adults
185 Female adults
119 Children