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Of a total of 34 bed-sitting room flats occupied during the
past 12 months—27 have been let to people over 60 years
of age.
Your Public Health Department has co-operated with the Housing Department, as in
previous years, in advising as to housing need in those cases where overcrowding is suspected
or where medical grounds are advanced as being the need, or one of the causes of need, of
rehousing. I have advised in 702 cases, informing Mr. Davey on each occasion the size of
the family, the sex and ages of the children, the presence of sanitary defect,the number, size
and location of the rooms occupied, and I have also advised as to the priority and particular
needs that may be required by those who are suffering from illness or disability.
It must be remembered, moreover, that the Council is the biggest manager of property
in the borough, and I am calling the attention of the Housing Department almost daily to
housing defects in the property managed by the Council. Admittedly few defects are found
or cause complaint in property erected by the Council before the war or subsequently. It
must be remembered, however, that the Council now becomes possessed of much property which
in due course it will demolish with a view to embarking on further housing schemes. The
management of this property is very difficult. It is very often old and dilapidated, and in
many cases no repairs have been carried out in the past years. Tenants tend to expect that
as soon as the Council becomes the owner every defect will be remedied. On the other hand,
it obviously cannot be wise to spend large sums of money on property which is ultimately
to be demolished, and by and large consideration has to be given as to whether property is so
bad that the tenants should be housed as soon as possible, or, alternatively, what repairs are
economically justifiable taking into consideration the life the property is expected to have.
Conclusion.
In ending these opening remarks to my annual report there is left for me now the very
happy task of acknowledging the help and courtesy I have received throughout the year from
you, Mr. Mayor, from the Aldermen and Councillors, and in particular from the members of
the Public Health Committee.