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It is a non-basement house of three floors, about 40-50 years old, facing east and within easy reach of the sea,
the town's shopping centre and the railway station. The accommodation is well planned and consists of nine double
bedrooms, one single bedroom, two bathrooms, lounge hall, three reception rooms, kitchen, etc. Negotiations are in
progress to acquire this property either by agreement at an approved figure or compulsorily, and it is probable that
the owner would be willing to sell the furniture, fittings, etc. In anticipation of its ultimate purchase, the following
conditions have been approved by the Council :—
1. Women guests should be over 60 years ; men over 65 years (i.e. in general, of pensionable age).
2. A charge of 21s. per week should be made (to be reduced to 15s. for persons in receipt of supplementary
pensions), the charge to be " spread over " as far as possible, but fully paid before the holiday commences.
3. For the first three or four months after the opening of the Home (probably early summer) each visitor should
stay for one week. This arrangement would be reviewed before the expiration of this period.
4. That the Home should be closed for about two weeks each year for redecoration, staff holidays, etc.
The Council's powers for providing this desirable welfare service for the aged is contained in the Physical Training
and Recreation Act, 1937, and in accordance with the provisions of this Act, this scheme will be administered in
association with the Paddington Old People's Welfare Committee.
The Public Health Committee have appointed a Sub-Committee to maintain that close liaison with the Old
People's Welfare Committee which will be necessary for the smooth running of a scheme of this nature.
It is intended to convey visitors to and from Bexhill by motor coach, and negotiations to that end are at present
under way. Monday of each week is to be the " change over " date.
This service is not commonly provided by Local Authorities, but as it is for a section of the community which
received little attention in the past it is to be hoped that it may prove to be a prelude to a considerable expansion of
welfare work for the aged by the local authority.
HOUSES UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION.—
No. of basement rooms dealt with by closing orders 27
No. of upper parts of mews premises closed for human habitation 2
No. of houses dealt with by demolition orders or in respect of which undertakings were
accepted 16
Ninety-seven persons were displaced as a result of the Council's operations, seventy-one
being rehoused by the Paddington Borough Council and five by the London County
Council. Fourteen secured accommodation through their own efforts and seven are
awaiting suitable Council vacancies.
Closing orders were determined or undertakings cancelled on four basements and the upper parts of three mews
premises made fit for human habitation during the year.
COMPULSORY REPAIRS.—Five Notices under Section 9 of the Housing Act, 1936, were served during the year.
One Notice was complied with, and works were in progress at three other premises. A further notice served prior to
1948, in respect of a block of 13 flats, was also complied with.
HOUSING ACT, 1936—OVERCROWDING.—
(a) (1) Number of dwellings overcrowded at the end of the year 425
(2) Number of families dwelling therein 516
(3) Number of persons dwelling therein 1,695 (Units)
(b) Number of new cases of overcrowding reported during the year 290
(c) (1) Number of cases of overcrowding relieved during the year 369
(2) Number of persons concerned in such cases 1,4851 (Units)
{d) Particulars of any cases in which dwelling-houses have again become overcrowded after the
Local Authority have taken steps for the abatement of overcrowding —
(«) Any other particulars with respect to overcrowded conditions upon which the Medical Officer
may consider it desirable to report —