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30
SECTION C
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
(In conjunction with Mr. W.C. Bartlett, Chief Public Health Inspector)
As mentioned in the report for 1957 the Rent Act was placed on the Statute
Book during that year but its effect upon the situation in this Borough was not
felt until the year under review. The hope that the Minister had when he stated
that the essence of the Rent Act was to put on the Statute Book some practical
means of stopping the deterioration of 'millions of houses throughout the country
has materialised in some measure in Islington.,The number of Certificates of
Disrepair issued and the number of Certificates of Cancellation has far exceeded
the numbers in 1957 The repair and reconditioning of property by landlords is
encouraged not only by the possible statutory increase in rent but also by the
fact that financial aid has become possible under other legislation in the way
of loans or grants from the local authority. Notwithstanding the encouragement
extended to owners to repair property under their control there still remains
the hard core of houses which require to be dealt with by means of demolition,
slum clearance or closure.
By virtue of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1958, certain
functions under Section 38 of the Shops Act, 1950, which have hitherto been
carried out by the London County Council will be transferred to the Borough
Councils as from 1st January, 1959. This will result in all the provisions of
Section 38 being enforced by the local Council. These provisions relate to
ventilation, temperature and sanitary conveniences which the Borough Council has
always enforced, and to lighting, personal washing facilities and facilities for
the taking of meals, which functions will be transferred from the County Council
at the beginning of next year.
A very useful piece of legislation included in the above mentioned statute
is the substitution for Section 44 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, by
a section which empowers a Borough Council to execute drainage work by agreement
with the owner or occupier.
During the year the London County Council revoked Byelaw 7 of the Water
Closet Byelaws. 1930 which laid down the number of water closets to be provided
in a building. In its place the Borough Council adopted the following new
standard agreed by the constituent Councils of the Metropolitan Boroughs'
Standing Joint Committee, viz: -
" One water closet for each household where practicable; and where
premises are let in lodgings at least one water closet for every
8 persons or one water closet for every 4 rooms, whichever standard
is the higher."
Inspectors carrying out inspections under Section 36 of the Housing Act, 1957,
or Section 105 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, have been instructed
to have regard to the above mentioned standard.