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48
"The sharp rise in the number of applications and enquiries for
improvement grants, noted towards the end of 1958, continued and increased
throughout 1959. As a result the housing activities of the department
were largely concentrated on the modernisation and improvementof
those existing properties which fall short of present day standards.
In this borough there are very many structurally sound and otherwise
satisfactory properties which either lack certain amenities, particularly
bathrooms, internal wc.s and hot water supplies, or are too large for
single family occupation and are suitable for conversion to self-contained
flats. No doubt the increased interest in improvement grants
was partly due to the publicity given to the new standard grants
which operated from the middle of 1959 and to the modifications made
to the original discretionary grant scheme. As this Council operates
both schemes there is now a wide scope and more encouragement for
owners to improve their properties. The total number of applications
djealt with under the two schemes in 1959 almost equalled the combined
total of cases dealt with in the previous four years. The figures given
in the body of the report refer to the number of applications, but as
some of these are for more than one property, one being for as many as
32 houses, the total number of properties dealt with was considerably
higher. Some encouraging features noted during the year were an increase
ini applications in relation to tenanted properties and a renewal
of interest by landlords in conversion of larger properties into selfcontained
flats.
"With regard to underground rooms, it was only necessary to
initiate action in four cases. iCertain closing orders made in previous
years in relation to this type of accommodation were determined on the
rooms concerned being made fit for habitation, and these were eventually
reoocupied. The Underground Rooms Act, which came into operation
during the year, removed the confusion created by the wording of
s.18 of the Housing Act 1957 and also restored the force of regulations
made in relation to such rooms. Unfortunately the new Model Regulations
issued by the Ministry as a basis for adoption by local authorities
are considered to be retrograde and unsatisfactory in several respects.
"It is pleasing to report that no appeals were entered by owners
against the service of formal s.9 repair notices."