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The Council endeavoured, together with our neighbours at Dagenham,
to secure the re-start of the London County Council lettings, and made a
substantial financial offer to the London County Council to bring this
about. We are hopeful that this further interference with the housing flow
will be overcome and the 10 months' delay which has occurred brought
to an end.
A small number of applicants have been able to benefit by the increase
in the number of private building licences the Council has been able to issue
for the erection of houses outside the Borough.
The 50 successful applicants were selected from a total of 275 who made
application on the basis of:—
1. Where the issue of a licence would make the house available for
another Barking applicant;
2. Family need.
The Council has been especially concerned at the plight of the families
made homeless, as the result of possession orders issued by the Courts. The
continued inability of the Essex County Council to offer temporary shelter
caused greater hardship.
The increasing demand for specially designed accommodation for old
people of all grades of income has called for a new effort to provide suitable
small labour-saving homes, where with a little friendly supervision they can
manage for themselves.
The Council have recommended three schemes, one of which for building
on the St. Paul's Church site they propose commencing as quickly as possible
The year under review saw the completion of the erection of the Longbridge
Road Estate of 408 flats. This is the largest of the post-war schemes
and has given satisfaction to both the tenants and the Council.
Slum Clearance,—The rebuilding of the Romford Street area is Pri>
ceeding slowly because of the lack of alternative accommodation for the
present tenants.
Building upon a few small plots is progressing, but this unfortunate!)
represents only 32 lettings when completed.
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