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45
Land Charges Act, 1925
The number of enquiries dealt with and reported upon during 1963
was 3,181, relating to 10,720 properties. The number of properties to
which these enquiries related was 2,927 more than in 1962.
The enquiries concerned outstanding statutory or informal notices,
combined drainage orders, smoke control orders, applications for decontrol
under the Rent Restrictions Acts, and certificates of disrepair.
Additional questions appeared on many of the search forms, mainly in
regard to any proposals for dealings with properties by means of clearance
or redevelopment under the Housing Acts, restrictions on the use of underground
rooms, and the suitability of premises for specific purposes such as
catering establishments and workrooms.
In addition, special enquiries were dealt with in relation to 2,500
premises which form part of one of the principal estates in the City of
Westminster.
Assessment of Housing Priorities on Medical Grounds
During the year, 140 applications for rehousing on medical grounds
were examined, and recommendations were made for the guidance of the
Housing Committee.
In each case the precise medical condition and resultant disability
were determined (frequently necessitating communication with the family
doctor or with the hospital attended). Investigations concerning the
present housing circumstances of the applicants were made by the Public
Health Inspectors. Their detailed reports included a reference to the
extent and nature of existing premises, and its adequacy for the number of
persons accommodated; the sanitary and structural conditions; the risk of
infection; and the existence of inconveniences, such as stairs, which might
be prejudicial to the patient.
On this information an assessment was made of the degree of priority
merited on medical grounds.
Slum Clearance
Clearance Areas
In pursuance of the City Council's slum clearance programme 1961-65>
I made representations during 1963 for dealing with a further 10 unfit
houses (including 27 flats) in the Green's Court/Peter Street area of Soho.
At its meeting in November 1963, the Public Health Committee decided
to adjourn consideration of these representations to enable me to discuss
with the freeholders of the various premises whether they would be
prepared jointly to imdertake a comprehensive rebuilding scheme,
including the provision of a substantial number of new units of housing
accommodation.
At the end of the year these discussions were still in progress, but as
a result thereof, the freeholder of three of the premises had expressed his
willingness to sell his interest to the Council.