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Section 19 of the Housing Act, 1964 enables the tenant of an individual
dwelling to make representation to the Council to take action to secure the
provision of satisfactory amenities. During the year three such representations
were received. In one instance the tenant moved to other accommodation elsewhere
in the district after which the dwelling which comprised living accommodation
over a shop was taken out of residential use by the owners. In a second
case discussions had commenced with the owner regarding an improvement
scheme, whilst in the third case no firm undertaking had been received from the
owner by the 31st December and the indications were that it would be necessary
for the service of formal notices to be considered. Improvement works in respect
of the two cases which were the subject of representations during 1969 were not
carried out. These comprised purpose built ground and first floor units in two
storey property, described colloquially as maisonettes, and after taking Counsel's
Opinion the Town Clerk ruled these to form part of a tenement block necessitating
action to be considered under Section 20 and not Section 19.
The initial approach must come from the tenant in these cases and it is discouraging
to find how little this provision, which was not repealed by the Housing
Act 1969, is used. It may well be that the new provisions in respect of the rents
of controlled tenancies will result in the initiative for the improvement of this
type of house being taken by the landlords rather than the tenants.
Area Improvement
Part II of the Housing Act, 1969, confers upon local authorities powers to
deal with the improvement of living conditions in predominantly residential areas
by declaring General Improvement Areas. It is envisaged that in addition to
securing the improvement of the dwellings within an area, the authority should
themselves undertake work to improve the general environment. The type of
improvement works considered to be desirable are tree planting, providing play
spaces, grassed or paved areas, parking spaces and garages. It is also suggested
that street lighting may be renewed, road surfaces repaired and road patterns
replanned. Approved expenditure in respect of such works based upon a sum of not
more than £100 per dwelling within the area, will attract grant from the Ministry, the
contribution to be a sum equal to one half of the annual loan charges, payable for
twenty years.
In November 1969 the Council after considering the implications of the
new provisions decided that they should receive a report upon the action
possible by way of area improvement in order to deal with unsatisfactory
housing conditions within selected areas in the Borough. During the year a
survey was carried out in order to identify any such areas and in conjunction
with the Borough Planning Officer there was consultation with officers of the
Ministry of Housing and Local Government on the suitability of the areas
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