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23
Grants, Subsidies and Loans
The applications received by the Council during 1969, and referred to the Health Department for
comment, were as follows:—
No. of Dwellings
Discretionary Grants
(a) Works of improvement 92
(b) Conversions 197
Standard Grants 24
Subsidies to Housing Associations for the improvement and conversion of
properties 178
Loans for the acquisition and/or improvement of premises in Westminster 40
A summary of visits made is given in Table 12, page 71.
North Westminster Project
Members of the Council will be aware that in 1967 the following classifications were approved :—
'A'—Principally areas of worst housing and environmental conditions in which the Council should
immediately start to acquire premises with the object of redeveloping the areas over a period.
'B'—Areas in which redevelopment should be carried out after the completion of the redevelopment
of the 'A' areas, but in which, in the meantime, the Council would endeavour to eliminate
overcrowding and ameliorate living conditions.
'C'—Areas where full rehabilitation of the houses by the owners was to be encouraged for long term
use.
In April 1969 the plans for the 'B' areas were revised, the original 'B' areas being reclassified as
'A' or 'C' or a new category designated 'A/C'. The 'A/C' areas were to be treated as 'C' areas except
that the Council would not basically oppose redevelopment by owners as an alternative to improvement
or conversion. A senior public health inspector was made responsible for a small team of
inspectors and technical assistants to commence the inspection of premises within the area, as a
preliminary to implementing the overall long-term objectives of the project.
Until the Government's intentions were finally made known by the passing of the Housing Act
1969 progress was concentrated on the original 'A' areas (compulsory purchase order action being
taken in respect of Tavistock Crescent and St. Stephen's Gardens areas) and on general guidance
and preliminary surveys in the 'C' areas. This Act came into operation on 25th August, 1969 and is
more fully examined elsewhere in this Report. The improved grants and loans available and the
revised legislation regarding the declaration of general improvement areas should facilitate more
rapid progress and an even more comprehensive approach to the rehabilitation of the 'C' areas.
There are three classifications of ownership involved; Council owned property (mainly the Queen's
Park Estate) and the 'A' areas being acquired, privately owned property and property owned by
Housing Associations. The approach regarding privately owned property in 'C' areas is informal
inasmuch as there is minimal reference to legal requirements although really urgent matters are
followed up in the normal way including, if necessary, statutory action. It is too early to assess the
possible response from private owners but in my next Report it is hoped to provide a more comprehensive
account as a result of a full year's work on this project.
Common Lodging Houses
There are two common lodging houses in Westminster. One, accommodating 550 men is kept by
the Salvation Army at 18, Great Peter Street, S.W.1., whilst the other for 706 men at Bruce House,
Kemble Street, W.C.2. is directly controlled by Westminster City Council Welfare Department.
Regular inspections of the premises are made by the public health inspectors, particular attention
being given to fire precautions, the number of lodgers accommodated, sanitary and washing
facilities, and to general compliance with bye-law requirements. Both common lodging houses
were well managed and maintained throughout 1969.
Facilities are provided at Bruce House for the disinfestation of any residents who require this
service together with a doctor's room in which local general practitioners can see their patients.
Arrangements also exist for regular visits to this lodging house by the Council's social workers.