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Aged and Infirm Persons.—309 visits were paid to the cases brought to the knowledge of the Department. They were
all dealt with informally, without recourse to the provisions of Section 224 of the Public Health (London( Act, 1936.
The Old Persons Club inaugurated by the W.V.S. is playing an important part in looking after the social side for
old people. Although the premises are commodious, it has not been found possible to accommodate all the old persons
wishing to join, and early after the club was formed it was necessary to have a waiting list.
It is to be hoped that when the building position improves, and it is possible to consider the building of community
centres and similar establishments, adequate provision will be made for the aged persons.
Common Lodging Houses.—62 inspections were made of the one common lodging house (Cecil House, 179 Harrow Road)
there being nothing unsatisfactory to record.
HOUSES UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION.—In spite of the great scarcity of housing accommodation it has been
found necessary to deal with certain premises by demolition or closing orders. It is with reluctance that such
premises are dealt with in such a manner, but this action is taken only in cases where further repair of the buildings
appears to be impossible.
No. of basement rooms dealt with by closing orders 6
No. of houses dealt with by demolition orders or in respect of which undertakings were
accepted 4
Thirty-nine persons were displaced as a result of the Council's action, all of whom were rehoused
in Paddington or on London County Council Estates.
Five closing orders were determined or undertakings cancelled during the year and two other premises made fit
for human habitation without recourse to formal proceedings under the Housing Act.
COMPULSORY REPAIRS.—During the year the Council authorised the service of notices under Section 9 of the
Housing Act, 1936, in regard to parts of two houses in the Borough. In each instance the necessary works were
completed within the period of time specified in the notice. Several other houses were surveyed with a view to action
under this section of the Act, but the cost of repairs rendered it inadvisable to take action. There is however the
prospect of a continuation and perhaps expansion of this type of work in the New Year.
TOWN PLANNING.—A condition of the London County Council's consent to the conversion and altering of premises is
that the Borough Council must be satisfied as to the proposed user of basement rooms. During the year the London
County Council referred to the Borough Council for examination a large number of applications of this nature, and
as a result of the Council's observations permission was refused for certain basement rooms to be used for human
habitation where the rooms did not conform to the statutes and regulations in force in the Borough. Similarly all
applications received by the Borough Council for Civil Building Licences to restore basement rooms to the required
public health standards are referred to the Medical Officer of Health for observation prior to consideration by the
appropriate Committee.