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32
SECTION C
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
(In conjunction with Mr W C Bartlett, Chief Public Health Inspector)
Improvements to properties in the Borough continue and many private owners are
availing themselves of the financial inducements which are offered to them in the respective
legislation Added to the already existing discretionary grants which a local authority may
pay the House Purchase and Housing Act, 1959, which came into force in June this year set
up a new system of standard grants The distinctive features of the new system are that these
grants are payable only in respect of the provision of specified standard amenities and on the
expenditure actually incurred for the purpose and provided that certain conditions are satisfied
the owner of the property can claim the grant as a right Many improvements are evident in the
Borough consequential to the closing of individual unfit houses or parts of hpuses the
clearance of certain unfit areas and the reconditioning of property Redevelopment has taken
place in various parts of the Borough and both the County and Borough Councils have been active
in this field This has been supplemented by the purchase of a number of properties by the
Borough Council many of which have been taken over upon release from requisition A number of
privately owned flats and other dwellings have been modernised or converted the owners having
availed themselves of the improvement grant to which they are entitled.
By virtue of the London County Council (General Powers) Act 1959 movable dwellings will
be controlled after 31st September 1960 After that date no person shall use or knowingly
cause to be used as a site for movable dwellings subject to certain exceptions any land
occupied by him unless he holds in respect of the land so used a licence granted by the London
County Council.
The statute also provides that after 31st March 1960 every specified building shall be
provided with refuse accommodation approved by the Borough Council and in considering as
respects any such building where reasonable accommodation is or is not provided or proposed
regard shall be had to the character and situation of such buildings.
With the object of bringing the London area into conformity with the provinces Metropolitan
Borough Councils are now empowered subject to certain exemptions to require by notice the
owner or occupier of any inn refreshment house or place of public entertainment in the Borough
to provide and maintain in a suitable position such numbers of sanitary conveniences for the use
of persons frequenting the premises as may be reasonable.
During the year the Minister of Education made The Standards for School Premises Regulations
These replace the existing regulations and whilst no significant changes in the basic standards
have been introduced some of the requirements have been made’more flexible to allow increased
freedom and experiment in design and construction Whilst the regulations are not enforced by the
Borough Council it is highly desirable that the standards laid down should be complied with.
The shortage of Public Health Inspectors continues and therefore thanks are due to the
existing staff who have co-operated to the full in order to ensure as much as possible that the
service to the public is maintained.