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18
Housing of Old People.
(a) 51/54, Beaumont Street.—The block of 29 flats for old people being erected on this site has
now reached roof level.
(b) St. Marylebone Almshouses.—Works of modernisation and improvement are in progress with the
aid of a Council grant of £40,000.
(c) Newstead, St. Marylebone Old People's Homes.—The Council have agreed to make a grant of
£14,000 and an interest-free loan of £3,000 towards the improvement of the Home.
Old People's Consultative Committee.
The Consultative Committee, composed of members of the Housing Committee, the Public Health
Committee and representatives of the St. Marylebone Old People's Welfare Association, met twice
during the year to review the provision of housing accommodation made in the Borough for old people
and to advise the Housing Committee where and how they consider such accommodation needs to be
supplemented.
Dwelling-Houses.
Statistics regarding the inspection of dwelling-houses under the Public Health or Housing Acts,
defects remedied and action taken under statutory powers are contained in Table 5, page 31.
Certificates of Disrepair.
No applications for the issue or cancellation of certificates under the provisions of the Rent Act,
1957, were received during the year.
Rehousing—Medical Certificates—Closing Orders.
The Medical Officer of Health receives requests from the Borough Council's Housing Director for
reports and advice on the housing conditions and the health of persons applying for rehousing. One
hundred and forty-five confidential medical certificates referred to the Medical Officer of Health
were considered in conjunction with reports from the public health inspectors on environmental
circumstances, and, where justified, additional points were recommended.
There were no Closing Orders but a statutory undertaking in respect of one underground room was
accepted and one demolition order covering six rooms was made. Closing orders on 20 underground
rooms were determined, orders on two rooms were varied, and one statutory undertaking was cancelled.
Land Charges Act, 1925.
The Town Clerk referred to the Department 1,730 enquiries relating to details of any outstanding
notices, orders or other restrictions on the properties concerned.
Immigrants.
In previous reports mention has been made of the fact that the south-eastern comer of the Borough,
which is contiguous with Soho,fcontains a cosmopolitan population in which immigrants from Cyprus
and European countries predominate. Very few immigrants from the West Indies, India or Pakistan
appear to have settled in St. Marylebone.
Common Lodging Houses.
There are two common lodging houses in the Borough. One accommodating 391 men is run by the
Salvation Army, at No. 2, Burne Street and premises in Lisson Street. The other, conducted by the
Church Army, at Portman House, No. 10, Daventry Street, is registered for 85 women.
Regular inspections were made and particular attention given to fire precautions, the numbers of
lodgers accommodated, the possible presence of any verminous persons or articles, catering arrangements,
sanitary and washing facilities and to general conformity with Bye-law requirements.
Both lodging houses were found to be well managed and kept in a satisfactory condition.