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being approved by the Local Government Board, and upon the scheme ranking for State financial
assistance.
The Dagenhamestate.
On 21st October the Council decided to apply for powers to acquire an area of approximately 3,000
acres of land, capable of mixed development situated in the urban districts of Barking Town and Ilford
and in the Parish of Dagenham in the rural district of Romford.
The Dagen-
ham estate.
Housing town planning Act.1919.
On the 31st July the Housing Town Planning Act, 1919, became law. Section 1 of this Act requires
the Council to consider the needs of their area in respect of provision of houses for the working
classes, and within three months after the passing of this Act, and thereafter as often as occasion arises, or
within three months after notice has been given by the Local Government Board (now the Ministry of
Health), to prepare and submit a scheme for the exercise of its powers under Part III. of the Housing of the
Working Classes Act of 1890.
Power is also given to the Local Government Board and to County Councils to act in place of a
local authority, and to the Local Government Board to act in place of a local authority under Parts 1
and 2 of the principal Act. The Council is also empowered to house persons in their employ.
This Act also permits of the relaxation of building by-laws in housing schemes approved by the
Local Government Board provided that, as regards the Administrative County of London the Local
Government Board may not approve any plans and specifications inconsistent with the provisions of any
building by-laws in force except after consultation with the Council.
It is also provided (Section 26) that the authority given by Section 94 of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891, to make by-laws as to houses let in lodgings, or, in the case of houses intended or used for occupation
by the working classes, shall be deemed to include the making and enforcing of by-laws:—
(а) for fixing and from time to time varying the number of persons who may occupy a house
or part of a house which is let in lodgings or occupied by members of more than one family, and for
separation of the sexes therein ;
(б) for the registration and inspection of such houses ;
(c) for enforcing drainage and promoting c'eanliness and ventilation of such houses ;
(d) for requiring provision adequate for the use of, and readily accessible to each family
of—
(i.) Closet accommodation,
(ii.) Water supply and washing accommodation,
(iii.) Accommodation for the storage, preparation, and cooking of food ;
and, where necessary, for securing separate accommodation as aforesaid for every part of such
house which is occupied as a separate dwelling ;
(e) for the keeping in repair and adequate lighting of any common staircase in such houses ;
(f) for securing stability, and prevention of and safety from fire ;
(g) for the cleansing and re-decoration of the premises at stated times, and for the paving
of the courts and courtyards ;
(A) for the provision of handrails, where necessary, for all staircases of such houses ;
(i) for securing the adequate lighting of every room in such houses.
As regards the County of London, these by-laws are to be made by the Council, and enforced by
the borough councils, and will supersede by-laws made for these purposes by the borough councils,
with the exception of those by-laws in the series which deal with securing stability and prevention of and
safety from fire, which are to be enforced by the Council.
In the City of London, the by-laws will be made and enforced by the common council, except as
regards by-laws for securing stability and prevention of and safety from fire which will be made and
enforced by the Council.
Draft by-laws have been prepared by the Council and transmitted to the Councils of the several
metropolitan boroughs for their observations.
It is also provided that if the owner of any house suitable for occupation by persons of the working
classes fails to comply with any order of the local authority requiring him to execute repairs necessary to
render the premises habitable, the local authority may carry out the work itself, and recover expenses
from the owner under an order made by a court of summary jurisdiction, interest at the rate of five
pounds per centum being charged thereon.
Houshing
Town
Planning
Act. 1919.
The Housing (Additional Powers) Act which passed into law on 23rd December, 1919, makes
provision for the payment by the Minister of Health of grants to persons constructing houses which comply
with the conditions prescribed by the Minister and are certified by the local authority to be completed in
a proper and workmanlike manner within a certain period of time; the aggregate amount of grants not
to exceed fifteen million pounds.
It also provides for the issue of Housing Bonds and the acquisition of land for the purposes of
Garden Cities or Town Planning schemes.
In the County of London the Council is the local authority for all purposes other than those relating
to expenses under Section 16 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, and in the City of London
the Council is the local authority for issuing the certificates as to completion of houses in respect of which
application for grants has been made.
Authority is given (Section 5) to prohibit building operations which interfere with the provision
of dwelling houses. Any person aggrieved by the Council's decision has the power to appeal to the
Minister of Health who is required to refer such appeals to a standing Tribunal of Appeal.
For the guidance of local authorities the Minister of Health has issued a Memorandum in which he
suggests that the following classification should be adopted for the purposes of this Section:—
(i.) Works of Low Category.—Those which may be regarded as of least public importance
in comparing the construction of various classes of buildings with the provision of dwelling-houses.
Housing
Additional
Powers)
Act, 1919.