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25
In my annual report for last year, the Council were informed
that the effect of the repeal of the bye-laws made under Section 6 of
the Housing Act, 1936 was being kept under constant review, and
that already the bye-law requiring the lighting of common staircases
was being resuscitated in a London County Council (General Powers)
Bill. The London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1956, has
since been enacted. Section 63 of which empowers the Borough
Council to make bye-laws with respect to tenement houses and flats
for the adequate artificial lighting of any common staircase in such
premises.
Loss of the Council's powers suffered by the repeal of the
London County Council bye-laws, and the attendant complications
of invoking Section 11 of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954,
has continued to be a problem. As a consequence, representations
were made by the Council, through the medium of the Metropolitan
Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee, that this Council was of
the opinion that the powers to enforce cleaning of rooms in tenement
houses should be replaced. Arising from the Council's
representations, the London County Council subsequently suggested
that, whilst reviewing such powers relating to the periodical
cleaning of common parts of tenement dwellings, it might be
worthwhile to consider other repealed powers. The repeal of the
bye-laws in question has no doubt been a handicap to the work of
the Public Health Inspectors, as Section 11 of the Housing Repairs
and Rents Act did not, in my view, answer the same purpose as
the bye-laws which when in force enabled many defects to be
remedied to the satisfaction of the tenants and to the' general wellbeing
of that section of the public living in the type of houses
covered by the bye-laws. It was therefore very heartening that the
Council had a further opportunity of pressing for the re-introduction
of the lost powers through the medium of the Metropolitan
Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee, and that the Council on the
recommendation of the Public Health Committee submitted the
following bye-laws to the London County Council recommending
their replacement:
Bye-law No. Subject
13. (a) Efficient means for carrying off any waste water
from every tap from which water may be drawn.
14. (a) Cleansing yard, area, staircase, landing, etc., used
in common.
(b) Provision of bedding, etc., in a clean and
some condition.
(c) Not let any room unless the room and the fittings
and appliances therein are clean and free from
vermin.
(d) Maintain in good order, etc., every receptacle for
dust and refuse used in common.
(e) Keep in order and repair all window cords and
fittings.