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The Children's Nightdresses Regulations, 1964, were made with a view to
preventing or reducing risk of death or injury through the ignition of children's
nightwear made from flammable materials. Subjects to certain exceptions no person
may sell or have in his possession to sell a child's nightdress not complying with the
regulations.
Checks were made during inspections of shop premises to ensure compliance
with the legal provisions and no contraventions were found.
HOUSING
General Housing Provisions
At the 31st December, there were 14,908 units of housing accommodation
under the control of the Council, comprising 191 bed-sitting room, 1,323 onebedroom,
4,453 two-bedroom, 7,703 three-bedroom and 1,238 other accommodation.
There were 4,791 applications on the waiting list for re-housing on 1st April,
1965, and 4,557 on 31st March, 1966.
Where a housing application is supported on the grounds of certified ill-health,
insanitary conditions and/or overcrowding, the health department investigates and
reports to the Housing Department.
I am grateful to the Housing Manager for supplying the above figures.
The number of newly constructed units of accommodation during the year was
834, making a total of 86,884 units for the Borough by the end of the year.
Overcrowding
Statutory overcrowding is prescribed by the standard laid down in the Housing
Act, 1957. A number of complaints received were found on investigation not to
constitute statutory overcrowding. Other cases arose from natural increase in the
number or ages of the occupants and did not therefore constitute an offence under
the Act. As mentioned above, overcrowding is a factor in determining priority for
the provision of Council housing. Notices to abate overcrowding were served on
one property owner and one occupier and in both cases the overcrowding was abated.
Houses in Multiple Occupation
The Local Authority is empowered by the Housing Acts, 1957 and 1961, to
serve a notice on a person having control of a house in multiple occupation where,
in its opinion, the house is defective with respect to natural and artificial lighting,
ventilation, water supply, personal washing facilities, drainage and sanitary conveniences,
facilities for storage, preparation and cooking of food and for the disposal
of waste water, etc.; the provision of proper means of escape from fire may be
required when necessary.
The number of persons who may occupy a house can be stipulated.
A notice may be withdrawn if the number of occupants is reduced to a point
where the existing facilities are adequate.
Early in the year, the Council adopted standards of over-crowding and
amenities to be observed in the Borough.
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