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HOUSING ACTS 1957/1969
UNFIT PREMISES, ETC.
Prior to amalgamation on the 1st April, 1965, each of the constituent authorities had been
engaged on the final stages of their 1960/1965 Slum Clearance programmes. Shortly after that
date, local authorities were required to submit to the Minister their programmes for slum clearance
during the period 1965/1970 and a survey of the Borough revealed that some 355 dwellings
warranted inclusion in the Slum Clearance programme. This number included 69 premises in the
previous programme still to be dealt with. Alterations to the programme are made when changed
circumstances warrant.
A total of 31 Demolition Orders and 68 Closing Orders have been made. Undertakings from
owners either to make premises fit or not to relet the premises pending demolition or reconstruction
have been accepted in a further 7 cases.
Four premises have been made fit as a result of Undertakings given under the Housing Act
1957, one of the Demolition Orders made was subsequently revoked following reconstruction of
the premises and 8 Closing Orders determined.
In one case, where premises were relet and the undertaking, which had been given to one of the
previous authorities, had been broken, proceedings were taken against the owners, who was fined,
and a demolition order was made on the premises.
12 areas have been declared clearance areas, involving 92 houses, 16 of which were subject to
Closing Orders. In 7 areas Clearance Orders were made and in the other 5 areas, a total of 4
Compulsory Purchase Orders was made. Involved in these Compulsory Purchase Orders were 6
houses not regarded as unfit but which were included in order to achieve effective clearance of the
sites. One Compulsory Purchase Order has been confirmed and the site cleared, the result of one
Appeal is awaited and two other Orders are awaiting confirmation at the end of 1969.
In a number of other cases, houses on the Slum Clearance Programme have been dealt with by
other means, e.g. road improvement works.
When the present programme is completed it is expected that the bulk of unfit houses in the
Borough will have been dealt with. Nevertheless, a review of the district is being carried out in
order to formulate a Slum Clearance Programme for the next four year period.
In 16 cases, after receiving representations from tenants, the Council has taken action under the
provisions of the Housing Act 1964 to secure 'compulsory' improvement of houses up to the full
standard by the provision of bathrooms and other necessary facilities. In one case, the notice of
immediate improvement was withdrawn following a request from the tenant as the alterations
proposed would have caused inconvenience due to the loss of a bedroom.
Houses let in multiple occupation are not a serious problem in the Borough. The Council has
adopted a Code of Practice setting out the minimum standards considered necessary.
No Improvement Areas were declared under the Housing Act 1964 but consideration is being
given to the new powers contained in the Housing Act 1969 concerning general improvement areas.
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