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7. Number of houses in respect of which an undertaking was accepted under subsection (4)
of section 16 of the Housing Act, 1957:—
None.
8. No. of houses demolished:—
None.
During the year 251 families were rehoused, leaving 446 families for whom accommodation
was required at the end of December, 1957. This reduction was due to the completion of the
main part of the Golden Lane Estate on the borders of the City and Finsbury and the Lammas
Green Estate at Sydenham.
The modernisation of the flats at Dron House, Stepney is in progress and it is anticipated
that improvement schemes will be carried out at the remainder of the pre-war housing estates
administered by the Corporation as a Local Authority.
Isleden House continues to stimulate interest amongst those who are concerned with the
housing and welfare of the elderly. Many of the elderly residents would be unable to maintain a
flat if they had to prepare their own meals and if they were required to do all the work of a normal
householder and it is evident that the provision of a mid-day meal and of the other services assist
the old people to remain in their homes and retain their independence. The Sick Bay under the
supervision of an understanding Matron and her sympathetic Assistant has continued to work
smoothly. Nearly 400 patients from St. Bartholomew's Hospital have been admitted since 1954
and this has made a very useful contribution in reducing the waiting list for beds at the hospital.
Patients from the Corporation's housing estates have also been admitted for short periods and
results have been most satisfactory.
The redevelopment of the Corporation's housing estates in Holloway and adjoining the
Metropolitan Cattle Market in Islington has had to be suspended, but with the use of the vacant
site of the sheep lairs to the west of the market for the purpose of erecting an initial block of
flats it is hoped that the scheme may proceed.
The Almshouses in Ferndale Road, Brixton are being individually brought up to date as they
fall vacant.
The City of London Old People's Welfare Association continues to look after the 1,350
over-60's for whom the City as a Housing Authority has a responsibility. No effort is spared to
ensure that these old people have the services they require. A Mid-day Meals Service has been
established at the Three Score Club adjoining the Corporation's flats in Gravel Lane, Stepney,
and it is hoped that a similar service will be provided within the Corporation's estates where
accommodation has been allocated to elderly people.
RODENT CONTROL
In compliance with the provisions of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949, it is the
duty of every Local Authority to take such steps as may be necessary to secure as far as practicable
that their district is kept free from rats and mice and in particular:—
(a) from time to time to carry out such inspections as may be necessary for the purpose of
the aforesaid ;
(b) to destroy rats and mice on land of which they are the occupier and otherwise to keep
such land so far as practicable free from rats and mice;
(c) to enforce the duties of owners and occupiers of land under Part 1 of this Act, and to
carry out such operations as are authorised by those provisions;'
(d) to keep such records and make such reports relating to their functions under this part of
this Act as may be required by any directions given by the Minister of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food.
For the purpose of implementing the aforementioned provisions, organisation and procedure
of the Rodent Control Department was similar to that of previous years, comprising inspection of
properties to ascertain the presence of infestation by rats or mice, treatment of any such properties
found to be infested, recommendation of structural and incidental proofing and periodical
maintenance control measures for the destruction of rats in the City sewers.
No difficulty has arisen necessitating statutory action to resolve the problem, and the response
to the policy of seeking the co-operation of owners and occupiers has been most
satisfactory.
Altogether 4,191 occupancies and properties were inspected, these properties ranging from
new buildings in varying stages of construction, riverside food warehouses, public and private
catering establishments, blocks of offices, shops and factories, to domestic dwellings.
A total of 575 infestations of rats or mice were subject of control measures, and of this
number 306 infestations were notified by owners or occupiers, and 269 infestations were found on
inspection.
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