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The first party left for Bexhill on the 25th April, 1949 and from that date until 14th November, 442 visitors have
been accommodated at the Home, an average of nearly 15 per week.
At the invitation of His Worship the Mayor (Alderman J. E. MacColl, J.P.) the Mayor of Bexhill (Alderman
W. H. Hughes, J.P.) kindly consented to preside at the official opening on the 25th April. Several distinguished
guests were present including The Rt. Hon. George Buchanan—Chairman of the National Assistance Board.
Members of the Bexhill and Paddington Borough Councils were present along with other persons interested in the
welfare of the aged.
From the 14th November to the 19th December, the Home was closed for cleaning and minor repairs, and was
re-opened on the 19th December for a party of visitors to spend the Christmas period at the Home until 28th December.
At this point, I must express my sincere thanks and appreciation to His Worshipful the Mayor, the Mayor of Bexhill
the Bexhill Rotary Club, International Stores, Ltd., and an anonymous donor for contributions which enabled the
old people to spend a very enjoyable Christmas at "Kincardine."
That this venture has proved an unqualified success is amply confirmed by the constant flow of letters of
appreciation. In addition, Paddington's lead in this field of social welfare for the aged has brought enquiries from other
metropolitan and provincial councils desirous of considering the provision of a similar service.
In view of the success which has attended the Council's first venture to assist the aged, and the fact that
the accommodation at "Kincardine" is insufficient to cope with the increasing demand for this beneficial service,
I trust that the hope expressed in my last Report to the Council that the establishment of this holiday home may
prove to be a prelude to a considerable expansion of welfare work for the aged, will in time be realised.
HOUSES UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION.—
No. of basement rooms dealt with by closing orders 207
No. of upper parts of mews premises closed for human habitation 2
No. of houses dealt with by demolition orders in respect of which undertakings were
accepted 6
Sixty-seven persons were displaced as a result of the Council's operations, twenty.six being rehoused
by the Paddington Borough Council and fourteen by the London County Council.
Fourteen secured accommodation through their own efforts and thirteen are awaiting
suitable Council vacancies.
Closing orders were determined or undertakings cancelled on two basements and the upper parts of five mews
premises made fit for human habitation during the year. Two houses were also wholly made fit following action
under Section 11 of the appropriate Act.
BASEMENT ROOM SURVEY.—
In accordance with the Council's desire to prevent the reoccupation of unfit basement rooms, the District Sanitary
Inspectors were requested to report to the Medical Officer of Health the existence of empty basement rooms on their
districts. A number of basement rooms suitable for closure were brought to notice in this way many of which were
subsequently closed for human habitation, whilst others were brought up to the required standard without recourse
to formal proceedings.
COMPULSORY REPAIRS.—
Twenty Notices under Section 9 of the Housing Act, 1936, were served during the year. Seven Notices were
complied with, and works were in progress at ten other premises. In one further case works are being undertaken
by the Council in default, and at two other premises the works have not yet commenced. Four Notices served prior
to 1949 have also been complied with during the year.
HOUSING ACT, 1936—OVERCROWDING.—
(a) (1) Number of dwellings overcrowded at the end of the year 527
(2) Number of families dwelling therein 597
(3) Number of persons dwelling therein 2192 (Units)
(b) Number of new cases of overcrowding reported during the year 377
(c) (1) Number of cases of overcrowding relieved during the year 275
(2) Number of persons concerned in such cases 1137½ (Units)