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Several applications have so far been received for Qualification Certificates or Certificates of
provisional approval under the new provisions of the Housing Act 1969 which permit the variation
of tenancies and rent for houses that are fit, in good repair and provided with bathrooms, hot
water and other necessary amenities.
CARAVANS AND CARAVAN SITES
Five site licences, under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 are in force
covering a total of ten caravans. In three cases the site licences are in respect of single caravans
used by agricultural workers and in one case the caravan is used by a caretaker of club premises. It
is usual to make the period of the site licence coincide with the approval given under Town
Planning. Inspections of the sites are carried out and, where necessary, the need to comply with
the site conditions is drawn to the attention of the licence holders. In a few cases individual caravans
or small groups of caravans owned by itinerant travellers have been temporarily stationed on
the roadside verge or on open land.
Since 1966 a group of caravans has been stationed on the grass verge of the A.20 trunk road
which forms the southern boundary of the Borough. The number at one time exceeded 50 but
during 1969 has not exceeded 20. Some chestnut paling fencing has been erected along the grass
verge to restrict the area occupied.
As would be expected in the absence of any facilities that would be required on a proper site,
the conditions are never good and especially during winter or inclement weather are in fact very
poor.
Arrangements made with a local refuse tip for the reception of refuse from the caravans have
met with limited success. It has been necessary for the Council at considerable expense on several
occasions to carry out extensive clearing operations of domestic and other refuse and derelict
vehicles. Three refuse skips are now provided on the verge in the hope of minimising future clearing
operations. It has been necessary to carry out rodent control treatment and regular surveys at
the site.
Until there is provision of proper sites together with the imposition of sanctions as provided for
in the Caravan Sites Act of 1968, the problem on this particular roadside verge will continue as
there is an awareness amongst the caravan occupiers of the Minister of Housing & Local Government's
request made during 1966 to local authorities "that nothing should be done to add needlessly
to the difficulties of gipsy families".
It is a pity that the caravan occupiers and their spokesmen apparently fail to realise that they
should make every effort from a public relations point of view to keep this site, which is in clear
view of thousands of people each day, in a clean and tidy condition.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES
There are no premises in the Borough registered or used as common lodging houses.
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