View report page

details and actual construction are more imminent, and work on improving the
existing plant has already commenced. The estimated cost of the first stage
is over £2 million and the work would take at least five years to complete. In
accordance with the instructions of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government
the revised works must be capable of extension to deal with sewage from
adjacent authorities and negotiations regarding such arrangements are now in
hand.
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.
A portable swimming pool installed at a local junior school has functioned satisfactorily.
HOUSING
Slum Clearance
During the year a further 22 houses were represented as unfit for human habitation.
In addition three houses, which had been included in the Council's five-year programme,
were demolished voluntarily by the owners after they had arranged the rehousing of the
tenants.
Rent Act, 1957
13 applications were received from tenants during the year compared with five 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 seven properties.
Five Certificates of Disrepair were issued and one cancelled on the completion of the
repairs.
As in past years 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 defect, 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
17