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The number of houses inspected for defects was 82 more than in the
preceding year in spite of the fact that the actual number of inspections
made decreased by 343. Altogether 393 houses were rendered fit in
consequence of action taken by the Health Department and, in addition,
3 cottages not repairable at "reasonable cost" were purchased by the
Council at site value and subsequently renovated. These figures represent
an appreciable increase on those for 1947.
It was necessary, however, for this work to be confined again to
remedying the most urgent defects, as, although the supply of building
materials and labour improved, other factors have made it more difficult to
obtain a satisfactory standard of fitness in working class houses.
The relaxation of licensing limits has to some extent caused a diversion
of the building trade to more remunerative and attractive work, while it
is becoming increasingly difficult to determine what should be considered
a reasonable expense at which such property can be made fit, a requirement
which has to be borne in mind in actions under the Housing or Public
Health Acts, having regard to the present-day cost of repairs in relation
to the value of such dwellings, based on pre-war controlled rents.
In addition, in view of the present-day shortage of houses and the
need for retaining every house which is not in a dangerous condition, it
is necessary to determine and pursue a policy of compromise between the
two extremes of demolition and extensive repair.
Fortunately in this District this problem is not so acute as that in the
more industrial and congested areas of the Country.
The most pressing need in this District is for more housing units and,
in this respect, it is pleasing to record the increasing co-operation with the
Council's newly created Housing Department in the relief of the more
serious cases of overcrowding, and the provision of 368 new houses.
WATER SUPPLY.
As in previous years the water supply of the District was provided
by the Sutton and District Water Company and the East Surrey Water
Company, with a private supply supplementing, as necessary, at Cane
Hill Hospital.
No samples of raw water were taken during the year, but routine
samples were taken quarterly for bacteriological and chemical examination
of the treated water. The Water Companies and the Local Authorities
affected also supplied copies of reports on the samples taken by them. No
complaints were received during the year with regard to the quality or
quantity of water supplied by the Companies, and locally no unsatisfactory
samples were taken.
The results of two chemical examinations and two bacteriological
examinations are given below and these are fairly typical of the reports
received :—
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