View report page

where it is not yet opportune to deal with the adjoining cottage
and a Demolition Order was made on the remaining house.
A hut on Riddlesdown in respect of which an Undertaking had
been accepted formerly was demolished during the year.
The problem of the house in multiple occupation is providing
the department with an increasing amount of work. It is quite
apparent that the majority of cases found in this district are not
of the type, nor do they give rise to the bad conditions which
inspired the legislation to deal with the subject, but such laws are
not selective and efforts are being made to apply the provisions as
reasonably as possible.
A further effort has been made to stimulate the interest of
owners and occupiers in improvement grants to provide basic
amenities in cottage type property. Approximately 135 houses were
visited and appropriate communications addressed to the persons
concerned, but with only a limited response.
The increasing pressure on the building trade in all directions
is proving, and will, it is considered, continue to be a major obstacle
in the drive to repair and improve the large numbers of houses
requiring rehabilitation treatment. It is becoming increasingly
difficult, if not impossible, to get builders to submit competitive
prices for this kind of work.
During the year, Discretionary Improvement Grants were
made in respect of five houses where improvement works were
carried out to the total value of £2,997.0.0. for which grants to the
value of £1,294 were made.
This type of grant is, of course, limited in this district to the
improvement of sub-standard type cottage property to a degree a
little superior to that provided by a Standard Grant.
The Council has not, so far, been prepared to extend the scope
of this grant aid for the purpose of conversion or enlargement of
dwellings.
Standard Grants were also made in respect of the provision of
Standard amenities in five houses to the total value of £1,396 for
which grants to the value of £530 were made.
One application for a Certificate of Disrepair was received
during the year under the provisions of the Rent Act, 1957.
In response to a Notice of Proposal to issue a Certificate of
Disrepair, an Undertaking was received from the Landlord to
remedy the defects proposed to be included in the Certificate.
DRAINAGE
During the year approximately 660 lineal yards of soil sewer
were constructed by the Council. This included the extension of
the sewer in Beech Way, Selsdon, to Great Farleigh Green to
provide main drainage facilities for 18 houses and two farmsteads.
During the year three houses were connected to main drainage
and three cesspools were abolished.
33