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Although an appreciable number of dwelling houses in the borough are occupied
by two or more families, the number of over-occupied properties is relatively small.
Some of these properties are believed to lack the full Standard of Amenities adopted
by the Council but they are gradually being brought up to standard.
Six hundred and sixty-eight visits were made by the public health inspectors to
houses in multiple occupation and formal action was taken to enforce the standards
in three properties involving ten families.
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.
The Housing Act, 1969, gave further powers for dealing with these houses. A new
definition of a house in multiple occupation was provided, i.e. "a house which is
occupied by persons who do not form a single household”. This definition was
designed to overcome the difficulties in the previous definition which referred to
more than family. Considerable difficulty has been experienced in proving that
occupants were not of one family. The Act also strengthens the powers of local
authorities to deal with unsatisfactory conditions in these houses and gives further
powers to control their occupation.
Slum Clearance and Individual Unfit Houses
Three Compulsory Purchase Orders comprising 26 properties represented as
unfit were confirmed by the Minister of Housing and Local Government during the
year.
The number of dwelling houses demolished in areas subject to Compulsory
Purchase Orders was 391.
No new areas were reported to the Council as unfit for human habitation. Three
individually unfit properties were dealt with. A Closing Order was made on the
basement rooms of one property and Demolition Orders were made on the remaining
two.
Acquisition and Improvement of Houses
The Housing Acts, 1958 to 1969 provide, 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) provide grants for the conversion of buildings to
provide additional units of accommodation, 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 96 applications were approved, the sum advanced amounting to
£356,013 13s. 4d.
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