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Although not included in the original programme, clearance area
procedure was also initiated in respect of 128 houses, all in one area in
Pimlico, which have now been demolished. In the aggregate, therefore,
the demolition or closing of 180 houses has been secured since 1st January,
1956.
As regards the delay in dealing with the remaining 53 houses and
flats included in the current programme, which are in two areas in the
northern part of the City, it was considered, as a result of experience,
that the demolition of these groups of houses should, if practicable, be
avoided until such time as arrangements can be made either for the
owners themselves to redevelop, or for the City Council, through its
Housing Committee, to erect new flats on the site. The Council is,
therefore, exploring with the London County Council, as planning
authority, the manner in which and the purpose for which these two
areas, when cleared, might best be redeveloped and as soon as these
discussions have been concluded it is proposed to make appropriate
recommendations for dealing with the unfit houses and flats.
Programme for 1961-1965.
(a) Introduction—The Minister of Housing and Local Government
requested in his Circular No. '2/60 (27th January) the submission, in
pursuance of the Housing Act, 1957 (Section 2), of a further programme
for dealing with houses which are unfit for human habitation within the
meaning of the Housing Act, 1957 (Section 4), and which are suitable
for clearance under Section 17 (demolition of individual houses) or
Section 42 (clearance area procedure). In London, these proposals are
required to be submitted jointly by the London County Council and the
appropriate Borough Council.
(b) Division of duties between London County Council and Borough
Councils.—The City Council is solely responsible for the enforcement of
the provisions of Part II of the Housing Act, 1957, relating to individual
unfit houses. Whilst the Council is under no statutory obligation to
rehouse families displaced from unfit houses as the result of action taken
by it under Part II of the Act, it is the practice of the Council so to do in
cases where the occupier has attempted but been unable to obtain other
accommodation.
The County Council and the Borough Councils possess concurrent
powers under Part III of the Act for dealing with groups of unfit houses
as clearance areas, i.e., areas to be cleared of all buildings. The local
authority declaring an area to be a clearance area must accept responsibility
for rehousing the families living therein.
(c) Further Survey of Housing Conditions in Westminster.—A further
survey of housing conditions throughout Westminster was carried out.
As required by the Act, discussions were held with the London County
Council upon the results of the survey and, with that Council's concurrence,