View report page

8
Sanitary Inspection.—The total number of complaints received was ] ,829. Rat infestations were again responsible for
the largest number (683) which were prompted mainly by continued publicity campaigns. Details of the various
nuisances detected and remedied, to the total number of 1,849, are set out in Table 5. In 576 cases the nuisances
were abated upon service of a preliminary (intimation) notice. Statutory notices were issued in 32 instances, and
referred to such matters as dirt, dampness, verminous rooms, unsatisfactory water-closet accommodation, inadequate
water supply, insufficient number of dustbins, defective roofs, defective and choked drains. In no case was it necessary
to institute legal proceedings.

SECTION D.—HOUSING.
War-Damaged Dwellings.—Further war damage was caused in the Borough during the early part of the year,
bringing the total number of dwellings damaged by enemy action to 14,989. Approximately 13,000 of these houses
have been rendered reasonably fit for habitation, nearly 1,200 being repaired during 1945.
Adaptation of Premises.—Although the conversion of buildings into self-contained flats continued, under instructions
from the Ministry of Health, to be held in abeyance owing to shortage of labour and materials, it was found possible
to carry out minimum works of adaptation to 38 premises, making available 96 units of accommodation.
Empty Properties.—Three hundred and eighty-nine empty properties were surveyed during 1945 and, where suitable,
were requisitioned and adapted for housing purposes. In addition, a number of requisitioned premises previously in
the occupation of Government Departments were transferred to the Borough Council for housing purposes.
Factory-Made Houses.—The Ministry of Health allocated 83 factory-made houses for erection on five sites in the
Borough. Seven houses were completed and occupied during the year, and the erection of the remainder was proceeding.
New Blocks of Flats.—The London County Council approved the Borough Council's plans for the erection of 172 flats
on the Barrow Hill Road site in St. John's Wood, and 140 flats and 11 shops on the Church Street site in the Lisson
Grove area. The two sites are being acquired under Compulsory Purchase Orders at an estimated cost of £194,000.
The Barrow Hill Road scheme includes provision for a branch maternity and child welfare centre.
Inspection of Dwelling-houses.—Number of houses inspected for defects under the Public Health or Housing
Acts 1,125; number of inspections made—2,347; number of houses found not to be in all respects reasonably fit
for human habitation—449; number of defective houses rendered fit in consequence of informal action—425;
number of houses in which defects were remedied by owners after service of formal notices under the Public Health
(London) Act, 1936—24; number of underground rooms in respect of which closing orders were made—nil.
Common Lodging Houses.—Forty-three visits were paid to the two lodging houses in the Borough: one, registered
for 436 men, owned by the Salvation Army and situated at No. 2, Burne Street and premises in Lisson Street; the
other, accommodating 100 women, conducted by the Church Army at Portman House, No. 10, Daventry Street.
Public Air-Raid Shelters.—The shelters continued to be used as sleeping places during the early part of the year,
and 240 inspections were made by day and night.