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HOUSING ACTS
Slum Clearance
The Council propose to deal with 58 properties during the
five-year period. In this year two clearance areas, each containing
two houses were represented.
Certificates of Disrepair
The 1954 Act allows the landlord a limited increase in the
rent of certain houses it the house is in good repair and is reasonably
suitable for occupation. The tenant can apply to the local
authority for a certificate that the house is not in good repair
and/or not reasonably suitable for occupation.
During 1955, six applications were received from tenants and
all were granted; of these, two certificates were revoked after the
landlord had carried out the repairs. Statutory notices were
served to enforce certain of the items of disrepair included on
some of the certificates.
Since August 1954 (the commencement of this Act) 13 certificates
have been issued, one refused and six revoked.
Improvement Grants
During the year preliminary enquiries were made in respect of
19 houses. Nine applications were considered by the Council. All
were refused. In one case the work which could be approved for
grant did not reach the required minimum of £ 100; in another case
the " improvement " was not considered to be eligible for grant;
in the remaining cases the properties were situate in an area the
Council propose to develope within 15 years.
Tents, Vans and Sheds
A licence was issued under the Public Health Act 1936,
Section 269, authorising a person who was building a bungalow to
occupy a caravan on the site for a period of six months. The
van was vacated before the expiration of this period.
Complaints are continually being received in respect of gypsies
who pull their vans onto any open land available, usually building
sites in course of, or awaiting development. With the co-operation
of the police an endeavour is made to move off the vans as soon
as possible.
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