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VI
The health of many families in Southwark would benefit by inproved,
and in some cases, larger housing accommodation. Detailed
consideration was given to cases referred on health grounds as well
as to families who were found to be overcrowded.
Clean Air.
It will be apparent from Mr. Stubbs' report that a great deal
of work was undertaken during the year both by Mr. Stubbs and the
Public Health Inspectors in regard to clean air. By the end of the
year the first smokeless zone had been established and was functioning
and a survey had been completed of a second area. The year 1974
was adopted as a target for making the entire Borough smokeless,
The supply of smokeless fuel became difficult at Christmas and this
aspect of clean air policy is receiving the attention of the Council.
It is most gratifying that Mr. G. Stubbs, Smoke Abatement
Officer, has been elected to the Executive Council of the National
Society for Clean Air.
Common Lodging Houses.
In May 1961 when granting the applications for renewal of
licences for the six common lodging houses in Southwark, the Public
Health Committee expressed the view that the question of the permitted
number of occupants should receive further consideration,
and arising from this a special report was submitted, in which the
present position in regard to Bye-Laws and so on was set out. Since
that time there have been discussions at officer level with the
London County Council and other metropolitan boroughs on permitted
numbers, the definition of a 'common lodging house' and the provision
of amenities and it would appear that the powers of local
authorities in regard to lodging houses should be strengthened, and
should cover a wider range of establishments of a similar nature.
In Southwark there has been a slow but steady improvement In
conditions in common lodging houses, but further improvement, if
this type of accommodation is to continue to be used, is undoubtedly
desirable. In several of the lodging houses in Southwark the
character of the population has undergone considerable change so
that the casual inmate tends to be in the minority. Many persons
some of them working men, stay on in these lodging houses indefinitely.
A substantial proportion are old age pensioners of independent
mind who for some reason or another are reluctant to enter an
old persons' home. Modern standards have risen in other fields and
having regard to the change in the type of resident it is clear
that common lodging house accommodation must also be upgraded. The
alternative might be closure but the demand is there.