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(iv) 5a, 6, Carville Street
(v) 20, 22 Poole s Park
(vi) 44-88 even, 92, 94; 51-59. 59a and 63-69. 73-81 odd, Playford Road.
47-61, 65-69. 73 & 75 odd; 66-88 even Pooles Park 113-125 odd Andover Road.
54 Durham Road.
Two other programme areas were surveyed, but it was decided to acquire by
agreement: these were
Ellenborough Road
Bavaria Road/Sussex Way
One further area was surveyed and recommended for inclusion in the next slum
clearance programme.
The policy of acquisition by agreement referred to above was adopted where the
Council was interested in a site for housing redevelopment purposes, and where the
number of unfit houses was small in relation to the number included in the redevelopment
area; in other words, where Part V rather than Part III action under the Act
predominated.
Close liaison with the Greater London Council was maintained and this Department's
inspectors gave supporting evidence at a number of public inquiries into areas proposed
by the Greater London Council.
Housing Act, 1957 - Overcrowding
No survey was carried out; but it was obvious from information obtained for other
purposes that a high level of overcrowding existed in the Borough. It was felt that
there is no useful purpose in present conditions in enforcing rigidly the Act's
requirements, as this could only lead to homelessness amongst those persons who are
least able to find other accommodation.
Generally only flagrant and severe cases were reported formally and in ten such
cases the Committee agreed that legal proceedings should be taken if necessary to
secure abatement of the overcrowding.
Housing Act, 1961 - Management Orders
These orders, which apply to individual houses the Housing (Management of Houses
in Multiple Occupation) Regulations 1962, allow the enforcement of repairs and the
remedying of conditions for which no other legislative provision is made.
However, experience was somewhat disappointing in that nineteen cases were
reported and yet it was possible to make only four orders during the year. This delay
was due largely to difficulty in obtaining information as to ownership and interests
under Section 170 of the 1957 Act. At the year end a number of prosecutions for
failure to supply information were pending, and although the penalties were small
(maximum fine £5), it was hoped this action would have the necessary effect. Because
of these difficulties, the nuisance sections of the Public Health Acts were used to
expedite urgent repairs even though a management order had been made or was in the
course of being made.
In two cases it was possible to rescind orders as conditions had improved to an
acceptable standard.
Housing Act, 1961 - Section 15
Increased use has been made of this Section, under which 375 informal and 154
formal notices were served. These were largely the result of the surveys of areas to
which I refer later.
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