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81
During the year the rents have been reduced in accordance with the variation in the
rates. The gross weekly rents now range from 12s. 10d. to 28s. 5d., according to the
number of rooms and position.
Una House.
This scheme comprises 64 flats, and the present gross rents vary from 13s. 2d. to
20s. 9d. weekly, according to the accommodation.
With a view to remedying the smoke nuisance in the upper flats, chimney pots were
provided to the flues of the living rooms. This proved effective, except in the case of one of
the chimney stacks adjoining the wall of the factory next to the dwellings. Experiments
were made with various types of pots and cowls, which proved that the trouble was caused by
the wind, when in a certain direction, striking the factory wall and rebounding on to the
stack, and thus creating a strong down-draught. It was eventually decided to raise the
height of the chimney above the level of the factory wall, and this proved successful in
abating the nuisance.
After a great deal of delay, the final statement of account for work done by the Contractors
(Messrs. Chessums, Ltd.) has now been dealt with by the Ministry of Health, subject to
review by the District Auditor in due course. The original amount of the contract for the
buildings was £76,001 14s. 0d., and in consequence, principally of the increase in wages and
the cost of materials during the course of erection, the final account payable to the contractorscame
to £82,100 14s. 4d., which, with the sum of £472 14s. lid. for work done by the
Council direct, brought the total cost of the buildings to £82,573 9s. 3d. This sum is
exclusive of professional fees paid to the architects and quantity surveyors, prizes for original
designs, and the salary of the Clerk of Works. The Ministry stated that certain items of
expenditure, amounting to £350 Is. 8d., could not be regarded, on the information available, as
ranking for financial assistance. It was, therefore, decided to meet the expenditure partly out
of the Repairs Fund and partly out of the rates.
Goldington Buildings, Flaxman Terrace, Prospect Terrace.
At Goldington Buildings there are 56 flats, and the weekly rentals range from 6s. 7d.
to 18s. 6d. At Flaxman Terrace there are 84 flats, with rents varying from 7s. 11d. to
16s. 6d. Prospect Terrace contains 70 flats, and the rents vary from 9s. 3d. to 15s. 10d.
The external painting of Prospect Terrace was carried out during the year at a cost
of £268.
Somers Town Area.
Negotiations were continued during the year with the Ministry of Health in regard to
the Council's proposals for improving the unhealthy conditions existing in Somers Town. No
satisfactory progress has been made, and it has been thought expedient to compile a summary
of the negotiations, interviews and discussions, which have now occupied the past five years.
The summary is as follows:—
28th May, 1919. Local Government Board informed that the Borough Council were preparing
preliminary housing schemes for dealing with several areas in the Borough, including Somers
Town. Special Housing Committee were authorised to engage three architects to prepare
block sketch plans showing the possibility of these areas, and to assist the Committee in
dealing with the matter. Mr. A. J. Thomas was appointed as one of the architects, with two
others (Mr. Horace Field and Mr. J. E. Newberry) nominated by the President of the Royal
Institute of British Architects.
4th June, 1919. Instructions given to Mr. Thomas to proceed with the preparation of block
sketch plans relating to Somers Town.
17th December, 1919. Committee authorised to prepare reconstruction schemes under Part II of
the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, in regard to 15 areas in Somers Town.