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PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS
There are two open air swimming baths in the Borough. The water is taken from
the mains of the South Essex Waterworks Company. The method of treatment is
continuous filtration and sterilisation; the period of turnover is four hours. Bacteriological
and chemical examinations of samples have indicated satisfactory conditions.
During the year a portable swimming pool was installed at a local Junior School.
HOUSING
Slum Clearance
During the year a further three houses were represented as unfit for human
habitation.
Rent Act, 1957
Five applications were received from tenants during the year compared with 14 in
in the previous year. In no case did the Council refuse to issue a Certificate of Disrepair.
Undertakings to do the work were given by landlords in respect of three properties.
Five Certificates of Disrepair were issued and one cancelled on the completion of the
repairs.
Advice was given to tenants and they were able to purchase the necessary forms at
the Civic Centre. The Council have continued to issue Certificates of Disrepair which
included, inter alia, defective fencing; where tenants included on their applications
defective electric wiring a statement from the local Electricity Board or a competent
electrician, indicating the nature of the defects, was required.
Improvement and Conversion Grants
Two types of grant are available; the "discretionary" grant for the more extensive
forms of improvement or conversion towards the cost of which a grant up to £400 is
available, and the "standard" grant where little or no structural alterations are necessary
and a grant up to £155 is available towards the cost of the five standard amenities (fixed
bath in a bathroom, wash-hand basin, hot water supply, water closet if reasonably
practicable in the dwelling and satisfactory facilities for storing food). The standard
grant conditions are designed to provide as simple a procedure as possible. The requirements
that the fixed bath should be in a bathroom and the W.C. if practicable
internal have resulted in a number of enquiries from the owner/occupiers of properties
built between the wars in which the bath is in a recess in the Living Room/Kitchen and
the W.C. external but contiguous.
Applicants are always encouraged to make preliminary enquiries before any expense
is incurred. During the year many enquiries were received; in several cases the improvements
desired were not eligible for grant. Seven applications for standard grants
and 10 for discretionary grants were approved. In all but one case the applications
were from owner/occupiers.
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