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(a) Number of dwellings known to be overcrowded
at end of year 8
Number of families in occupation 9
Number of persons in occupation 59
(b) Number of new cases reported 10
(c) Number of cases relieved 10
Number of persons concerned 59
These are the only cases of statutory overcrowding which are known to the Department.
Other cases do undoubtedly exist but the extent of the problem within the Borough is not
considered to represent a serious hazard. Overcrowding only rarely comes to light during
the course of normal routine inspections or as a result of direct complaint. In the main,
cases are brought to notice by tenants alleging over-occupation who are seeking to
improve their position on the Council's housing waiting list.
The existing standards were first introduced in 1935 when, compared with earlier
standards, they were considered to be high. However, after more than thirty years they
can no longer be regarded as satisfactory in the light of modern living conditions. When
assessing housing needs in respect of applications for housing accommodation, the
Council therefore maintains a more realistic approach by awarding "points" on an
ascending scale according to the degree of insufficiency of proper bedroom accommodation.
During the year the Department was actively concerned with an increasing number of
applications for Council housing, in some cases supported by medical certificates,
referred by the Housing Department for special consideration on medical grounds.
I wish to record that each application made for Council housing accommodation which
was supported by the Department received the fullest consideration by the Borough
Housing Officer.
Common Lodging Houses
There are no common lodging houses in the Borough.
Houses in Multiple Occupation
The Housing Acts 1961 to 1969 provide powers for dealing with unsatisfactory
living accommodation at houses in multiple occupation. Whilst the Housing Act 1969
did not make major legislative changes, it did nevertheless introduce some significant
amendments.
The new definition of what constitutes a house in multiple occupation based upon
"households" rather than "families" is welcomed, difficulties having, in the past,
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