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PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS
There are three open air and three indoor swimming pools in the borough.
The water from the swimming baths is taken from the mains of the South Essex
Waterworks Company.
During the year, regular samples of the water have been taken and submitted
for bacteriological and chemical examination with satisfactory results.
An open-air Purley Pool at one of the schools has continued to give satisfactory
service.
HOUSING
Slum Clearance
The clearance and redevelopment of the Gascoigne Area continues. A Public
Inquiry relating to 99 properties was held on 16th November 1965. The Compulsory
Purchase Order was confirmed by the Minister.
Orders relating to 19 houses were represented to the Council, who declared
the properties unfit for human habitation.
Rent Act. 1957
14 applications were received from tenants during the year. In no case did
the Council refuse to issue a Certificate of Disrepair. Undertakings to do the
work were given by the landlords in respect of eight properties. Six Certificates
of Disrepair were issued and three cancelled on the completion of the repairs.
As in past years, advice was given to tenants and they were able to obtain
the necessary forms at the Civic Centre.
Improvement and Conversion Grants
In connection with the administration of the improvement grant provisions, I
am pleased to say that during the year the close co-operation between other
sections of the Council's staff and ourselves continued, and the whole scheme has
gradually expanded, 11 discretionary grants and 33 standard grants being approved
during the year. We have found that no amount of propaganda and advertising can
compare with actually seeing a completed scheme in operation.
I still have grave doubts of the wisdom of improvement areas as set out in
the Housing Act, 1964, and in an endeavour to achieve the desired results - the
improving within the improvement grant provisions of tenanted houses without the
disadvantages (which will not be apparent for five years) - postal surveys are
carried out in suitable areas, and the subsequent response and co-operation from
owners and tenants have been most encouraging. As far as I know, we are the only
authority who have carried out such surveys. The biggest problems are to get
builders to carry out this type of work, and to persuade tenants to pay the
increased rent, which is roughly £1 a week extra for a back addition bathroom or
10/- a week where a bedroom is converted.
Two types of grant are available; the "discretionary" grant for the more
extensive forms of improvement or conversion, and the "standard" grant where
little or no structural alterations are necessary. Applicants are always
encouraged to make preliminary enquiries before any expense is incurred. Every
effort is made to deal with the application as speedily as possible. During the
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