View report page

101
Owners submitted 112 specifications for the reconditioning of basements
which were the subject of closing orders or undertakings, and in
106 of these, the Council considered that, if carried out, the works would
render them fit for re-habitation, many being subject to certain additional
works specified by the Council.
Eighty-one specifications were received from owners desirous of
carrying out reconditioning work in basements prior to or apart from any
formal action by the Council, thus making a total of 193 specifications
submitted during the year.
At the end of the year 51 basements had been reconditioned to the
satisfaction of the Council; the closing orders were accordingly revoked
and the premises re-occupied. Some 52 others had been brought up to
the requisite standard voluntarily. In 97 other cases the work was in
hand or about to be undertaken.
Following applications from owners, approval has been given by the
Council in 13 cases allowing the use of closed basements for purposes other
than that of human habitation. These purposes included the use of the
rooms as storerooms, and in one or two instances the rooms were rendered
fit for use as wash-houses, workrooms, etc.
Specifications were considered and approved in 5 instances for the
reconditioning of entire houses.
In four cases applications were received from owners for certificates,
under the provisions of Section 55 of the Housing Act, 1935, as to the
condition of houses after reconditioning, and the certificates were granted
for a period of five years in each case.
The Housing Committee and its Standing Sub-Committee, besides
meeting on 20 occasions, held 8 special meetings for the purpose of
interviewing persons interested in the premises under consideration for
closure. Some 120 persons attended and were heard by the Committee,
in some cases being represented by solicitors or surveyors.
In accordance with the procedure laid down in the Housing Acts it
was found necessary to ascertain particulars of freeholders, leaseholders,
mortgagees, etc., of the premises to be considered and in 2,500 instances
formal notices have been prepared and served.
Provision of New Houses for the Working Classes.
Grosvenor Housing Scheme.—The last block (Bennett House) consisting
of 96 flats was finished in March, thus completing the 616 workingclass
flats incorporated in the Scheme. The official opening of Bennett