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which were unoccupied owing to war damage; and the repair
and conversion of these houses into units suitable for
families. During the year 545 families were rehoused in
requisitioned property
Applications for rehousing were dealt with by the
Housing Section of the Public Health Department a task
which demanded close attention, to the housing conditions
of. several thousands of applicants,, A points scheme was
introduced in October in an attempt to combine both need
and claim for rehousing.
3. A marked deterioration of the repair of the majority of
the dwelling houses of the borough combined with an
increasing difficulty in getting defects attended to.
This was due to a combination of shortage of labour and
materials, disputes as to whether- defects were due to war
damage or dilapidation-, restriction of building work by
license, and a growing reluctance on the part of landlords
to undertake maintenance work owing to the considerable
rise of building costs. This was reflected in the
large number of sanitary complaints dealt with by the
Sanitary Inspectors.
1946 saw the extension of certain services in the borough
l. Foot Clinic. A Foot Clinic was opened in January at
Barton House. It was staffed initially on a part-time
basis. but the demand rose so rapidly that it became
necessary to appoint a full time Chiropodist who took up
her duties on 6th August.
This Clinic has filled a very great local need for
there is a great deal of disability and unhappiness
caused by minor defects of the feet and this can be eliminated
very rapidly by skilled treatment. The charge of
l/6d per attendance - old aged pensioners treated free=
is a nominal one, and of course does not cover the working
cost of the Clinic, This is a service which is
attended by immediate relief in many cases and it was a
satisfaction to note the delight of many patients on the
ease with which they could leave the Clinic after
treatment.
2. Dental Clinic. In February the administration of the
Dental Clinic which had been operated for the Council