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Houses in Multiple Occupation—Housing Act, 1961
The inspection of houses in this form of use continued in 1964 after a start had
been made late in 1963. By a re-organisation of duties among the inspectors it was
arranged that the Deputy Chief Inspector would be responsible for this work in
addition to his other duties with such assistance as could be made available from
time to time. On this basis known cases and complaints could be investigated.
The procedure followed previously was continued and close co-operation was
maintained with the Town Planning and Housing Sections of the Borough Surveyor's
Department.
For a short period an inspector was available to carry out door to door survey
work and two roads in West Ealing were selected for survey, as it was thought that
multiple occupation was on the increase in this neighbourhood. Eighty-seven houses
were inspected and four were found to be in typical multiple occupation, the remainder
being in various forms of occupation not requiring action under the Housing
Acts. As the result of action taken by the Department the houses in multiple occupation
were either sold or reverted to acceptable forms of occupation. This type of
activity undoubtedly enables the problem to be properly assessed and the necessary
action to be taken.
The routine investigation of known cases and complaints resulted in 95 inspections.
Ten preliminary notices were served requiring the execution of works under Sections
15 and 16 of the Act. In several cases owners were advised on the future use of their
properties so as to avoid overcrowding and the need for additonal facilities. In other
cases conditions were remedied without need of notices being served.
In one case the owner's reaction to the receipt of informal notices was to give all
his tenants notice to quit and to offer the property for sale. In order to ensure
that the essential requirements were met formal notices were served and a Management
Order made to ensure that even should the premises change hands the Council
would still be in a position to enforce satisfactory conditions.
Considerable improvement in the living conditions was obtained and the premises
are still subject to the Management Order which will only be revoked when the
conditions making it necessary no longer exist.
BATHS AND SWIMMING POOLS
The Council's baths in Longfield Avenue contain four indoor swimming pools.
The water is drawn from the mains of the Metropolitan Water Board and is completely
circulated in all four pools every four hours. The treatment plant provides for
flocculation and alum and soda ash prior to filtration, combined with continuous
marginal chlorination of the water as it is drawn from the pools and on its return.
The Baths Manager makes tests at frequent intervals each day to ensure that a
satisfactory level of residual chlorine is maintained. In addition 75 samples were
taken by the Department during the year and sent for bacteriological examination,
and all were found to be entirely satisfactory.
A private swimming pool operated by a local industrial firm in Greenford was
sampled on four occasions during the year and results were satisfactory.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACT, 1961—DESTRUCTION OF PIGEONS
Section 74 of this Act gives local authorities power to deal with nuisances caused
by the congregation of pigeons and certain other birds in built-up areas. The arrangement
whereby the Council exercised these powers by employing a specialist firm to
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