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29
Housing Act, 1936
The Council, with the approval of the Housing and Public Health
Committees, has delegated to the Public Health Committee those sections
of the Housing Act, 1936 which concern the Public Health Department,
i.e.—
Part II, dealing with the duty of the local authority to inspect their
district and containing provisions for securing the repair, maintenance
and sanitary conditions of houses.
Part III, Sections 51, 54, 55 and 56 dealing with certificates as to the
condition of houses; and obstructive buildings.
Part IV, dealing with the survey to ascertain overcrowding, which is
also an offence under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936.
Duties under these sections of the Housing Act, 1936 had always been
carried out by the Public Health Department, although reports on the
work were previously made to the Housing Committee, an arrangement
which was peculiar to Stoke Newington arising from the fact that the
Public Health Department at that time dealt with most of the functions
now carried out by the Housing Department, in addition to the sections
of the Housing Act, 1936, mentioned above. At the time of this alteration
in duties, staff and office accommodation were transferred to the Housing
Manager but the Public Health Department still remained responsible for
the duties mentioned above.
At first glance, the view might be formed that the Sections of the
Housing Act, 1936 mentioned might, with advantage, have remained with
the Housing Committee but that would be a mistaken impression. If
action is not taken under the Housing Act, 1936, complaints must receive
attention under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936 and the only
guidance that the Public Health Committee requires, and is essential for
the Public Health Committee, to know the intention of the Housing
Committee with regard to those properties which are likely to be dealt
with by compulsory purchase for rehousing within a reasonable period to
enable the Public Health Commitee to decide whether to proceed under
the Public Health (London) Act, 1936 or the Housing Act, 1936.
This Report refers to a preliminary inspection of dwelling houses
in the Borough south of Stoke Newington Church Street, together with
a few very small areas north of Stoke Newington Church Street, but no