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classes, and known as The Fisherton Street Site. The first block, the completion
of which was considerably delayed by strikes and other labour difficulties, was
formally opened by the then Mayor (Mr. Alderman Brooks) on 7th November,
1924, and very shortly afterwards the second also was completed and occupied.
The accommodation provided in each of the flats consists of a living room, scullery,
bathroom, and W.C., and three bedrooms. There is a plentiful supply of hot
water to each, and there is in addition a laundry with washing and drying rooms
for the use of the tenants in common. The blocks are well situated as regards
light and air, and both gas and electricity are available for cooking, lighting, etc.
As this scheme is rather in the nature of a slum clearance the provision made in
the various blocks will help hardly at all towards a reduction of the housing
shortage, most of the families taking up occupation of the flats being such as have
been dishoused in order to permit the scheme to proceed. Even when the scheme
is completed, it is doubtful if any but previous residents on the site will be
accommodated. At the end of the year progress was being made in connection
with arrangements for the erection of the remaining two of the seven blocks.
The information asked for by the Ministry with regard to housing is contained
in the following statement. The Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions)
Act, 1920, so far as regards the provisions of Section 2(2), and the Rent
and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Act, 1923, Section 18(1) relating to certificates
as to suitability for occupation of houses, was comparatively little taken advantage
of during the year. Actually, only 1 application was received, and a certificate in
this case was granted.
During the year (in October) a representation was made to the Council under
Section 35 of the Housing Act, 1925, relating to an area known as the Carlisle
Street area. The total number of premises covered by the representation is 533,
and the approximate population 5,000. The area occupied by the represented
premises measures approximately 16 acres. The representation was taken into consideration
by the Council at a meeting held on 28th October, 1926, when in
accordance with Section 35 a resolution was passed to the effect that the area is
an unhealthy area and that an improvement scheme ought to be made in respect
of the area. Apart from negotiations with the Ministry and the London County
Council, little progress had been made by the end of the year.
Number of new houses erected during the year:
(a) Total
(b) As part of a municipal housing scheme
10 houses and
289 flats.
20 flats.
1. Unfit dwelling-houses :
Inspection—(1) Total number of dwelling-houses inspected for
housing defects (under Public Health or Housing Acts) 2,977
(2) Number of dwelling-houses which were inspected and recorded
under the Housing (Inspection of District) Regulations,
1910, or the Housing Consolidated Regulations, 1925—
Houses 1,071
Tenements in blocks 255
(3) Number of dwelling-houses found to be in a state so dangerous
or injurious to health as to be unfit for human habitation Nil
(4) Number of dwelling-houses (exclusive of those referred to
under the preceding sub-heading) found not to be in all
respects reasonably fit for human habitation 2,063
2. Remedy for defects without service of formal notices:
Number of defective dwelling-houses rendered fit in consequence
of informal action by the local authority or their officers
(intimation only) 1,936