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Although an appreciable number of dwellinghouses in the Borough is occupied
by two or more families, the number of houses over-occupied is small.
The only notice served under the Act was complied with by the owners.
Part IV of the Housing Act, 1964, gave considerable additional powers to local
authorities, including the making of Management Orders where the Council is
satisfied that proper standards of management are not being observed. No action
was required under this Act.
Slum Clearance and Individual Unfit Houses
Slum clearance programmes were initiated under the provisions of the Housing
Act, 1957. No clearance areas were represented during 1965, but the Minister of
Housing and Local Government confirmed three Compulsory Purchase Orders
reported to the Councils in the previous year, comprising 193 dwelling houses, 5
houses and shops and two public houses and included eleven clearance areas.
The Ministry of Housing and Local Government Circular 11/65 asked local
authorities to make a final estimate of the total number of houses considered to be
unfit for human habitation by the standard which they now apply (Housing Act,
1957), when considering whether property should be condemned.
A five year programme of the clearance of 1,188 properties during the period
1966 to 1970 was approved by the Council and forwarded to the Ministry.
In considering individual unfit properties, closing orders were made on the basement
rooms of four properties.
Acquisition and Improvement of Houses
The Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1958, provides, inter alia, that a local
authority may (a) make advances for the purpose of acquiring houses and for
altering, enlarging, repairing or improving houses; (b) make grants for the provision
of houses by the conversion of buildings and for the improvement of dwellings.
The Town Clerk, in co-operation with the Borough Treasurer and the Borough
Valuer, deals with applications for advances for house purchase and I understand
from him that 249 applications were approved, the sum advanced amounting to
£880,021. The Health Department supplies the Borough Valuer with any
known history of a property which may assist him in his valuation.
An owner may seek an advance or grant towards the cost of substantial alterations
which may involve structural work, but the power to make such advances
of grants is exercised at the discretion of the local authority.
The House Purchase and Housing Act, 1959, designed to supplement the
previous grant provisions, enables local authorities to make advances for house
purchase up to the full value of the property. It also places a duty on them to
make standard grants towards the cost of the provision of a fixed bath or shower
in a bathroom, a wash-hand basin, a hot water supply, a W.C. and satisfactory
facilities for storing food where these are not provided.
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