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In a circular issued during the year the Ministry of Housing &
Local Government reviewed the progress made by Local Authorities
generally in carrying out their existing slum clearance programmes
and requested Authorities who had completed their
programmes to review the position and, if necessary, submit further
proposals.
This matter is receiving attention with a view to the submission
of further proposals if considered necessary in the light of conditions
found.
It will be appreciated, however, that it can rarely ever be a
clear cut issue whether or not a number of technically "unfit"
houses exist at any one time even in a district such as Coulsdon
and Purley, where housing standards are comparatively high, but
it can be confidently stated that there are no "slums", existing
within the Council's area.
Housing repair work has followed the pattern of recent years
although confined largely to work of an urgent and necessary
character.
The provisions of the Rent Act, 1957 relating to the issue of
Certificates of Disrepair appear to have fallen into disuse. Only
one notice of intention to issue a Certificate of Disrepair was served
followed by an undertaking from the landlord to carry out the
necessary repair works.
Cancellation certificates were issued in respect of two
properties and repair works were completed at four further houses
following the issue of Certificates of Disrepair or Undertakings
from the landlord.
During the year Discretionary Improvement Grants were
made in respect of five houses where improvement works were
carried out to the total value of £2,599. Standard Grants were also
made in respect of the provision of "standard amenities" at five
houses where works were carried out to the total value of £804. In
all cases 50% grants were made and a high standard of improvement
achieved.
The Council refused to make either a "Discretionary" or
"Standard" Improvement Grant in respect of an application to
convert two old cottages into one house and provide certain other
amenities, on the grounds that they were not satisfied that after the
improvement works were completed the house would be fit for
human habitation and likely to remain so for a period of not less
than 15 years in view of the conditions of dampness at the premises.
These two cottages have since been demolished.
DRAINAGE
During the year three houses and two other premises were
connected to the sewer and seven cesspools abolished.
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