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Consumer Protection Act, 1961
There has been a considerable reduction in the number of second-hand oil heaters
offered for sale. A number of dealers do not now handle oil heaters and the
majority co-operate in selling only recent models in good condition. The Electrical
Applicances (Colour Code) Regulations, 1969 will apply to retail premises as from
1st April 1971. Dealers are being advised of the provisions of these new regulations
and a leaflet is being prepared for distribution
Registration of Hairdressers
The number of hairdressing establishments registered under the Greater London
Council (General Powers) Act, 1967, is 220. Few contraventions of the byelaws
made under the Act were found. In view of the increase in the use of wigs, hairdressers
and wigmakers were warned of the dangers of using benzene, carbon tetrachloride
and trichloraethylene for cleaning wigs, except in the open air or in wellventilated
rooms.
Coin Operated Launderettes
The noise and effluvia nuisances from these premises have almost all been abated.
It was necessary to obtain a nuisance order before a noise nuisance was abated. In
the case of an effluvia nuisance a summons was issued but the hearing was adjourned
on a receipt of an undertaking to carry out the necessary works.
HOUSING ACTS 1957—1969
(a) Clearance Areas
These are formed when groups of houses are found to be unfit for habitation under
Section 4 of the Housing Act, 1957, as amended by the Housing Act, 1969, and
when it is felt that the best method of dealing with conditions in an area is by way
of demolition of all the properties. Following the declaration of an area, one of two
ways of achieving this result is open to the Council: the first by way of a clearance
order, or the more common procedure of acquiring the houses and land, generally
by making a compulsory purchase order, so that the Council are able to carry out
redevelopment. A survey of the Borough was carried out during 1969 to identify
possible areas for this action in the years 1970-73. As a result, comparatively few
areas of this nature are now thought to require this treatment.
(b) Individual Unfit Dwellings
There are several ways by which unfit dwellings are required to be made fit. Those
which are found capable of being made fit at reasonable expense can be dealt with
under Section 9 of the Housing Act 1957, by the service of notices. It is usual
to serve an informal notice before taking formal action. The latter, if not complied
with, can be subject to default action whereby the Council have the work done
by the invitation of tenders and arranging a contract with a builder. The cost of
this work can then be recovered in one of several ways.
When the dwellings or parts of buildings are found to be unfit and not capable of
being made fit at reasonable expense action can be initiated under Section 16 of
the Housing Act, 1957, for the service of time and place notices. Undertakings can
then be accepted from owners either to have the works carried out to make the
premises fit for habitation or to cease using them for this purpose. If an undertaking
is not accepted a demolition order (or a closing order in lieu) for a whole
house or a closing order for part of a building can be made.
In the case of Council loans for house purchase a schedule of work to make the
house fit is made a condition of a loan. In this way many cases of unfitness are dealt
with.
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