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Slum Clearance
During the year four Clearance Areas were the subject of Official
Representation to the Council. The total number of houses included as unfit
dwellings in the four areas was 335
Three Public Enquiries were held during the year as a result of
Compulsory Purchase Orders made by the Council,
On 2nd January, 1968 an Enquiry was held to determine objections in
respect of two houses included in the Morley Road Compulsory Purchase Order
which comprised 83 unfit dwellings and six premises as added lands. A
second Public inquiry took place on 19th January, 1968 in respect of 19
objections to the St. Margaret's Road compulsory Purchase Order which
included 264 unfit dwellings plus added lands.
The third Public Enquiry on 23rd October, 1968 concerned the Gascoigne
Road (No.5) Compulsory Purchase Order which comprised 165 unfit dwellings
and 4 premises included as added lands. Objections in respect of two
dwellings were heard.
All three Orders were confirmed by the Minister with slight modifications.
Rent Act, 1957
13 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 landlords in respect of eight properties.
Two Certificates of Disrepair were issued and one objection was received
from a tenant to the Cancellation of the Certificate of Disrepair.
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
During the year five discretionary grants and 91 standard grants were
approved.
The popularity of improvement grants continued and owners are given
advice and encouragement. Enquiries were received concerning properties
in all sections of the Borough where the houses, though obsolescent, are
still structurally sound and are able to afford suitable accommodation for
many years to come.
There appeared to be a growing interest in the provision of bathrooms
by means of an extension structure and I have been grateful forthe ready
co-operation of the Borough Architect's Department in assessing the estimates
submitted with applications for Grant.
Houses in Multiple Occupation
728 visits were paid to these properties during the year.
Although in this borough the problem is not a major one, it has
increased slightly over the past year. Fortunately there are very few
properties that lend themselves to this form of occupation.
During the year a house-to-house survey in areas considered likely
to contain multiple occupied houses discovered some not previously known.
Conditions generally were reasonably satisfactory and in appropriate cases
notices were served on owners to remedy deficiencies.
There are no Common Lodging Houses in the borough.
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