View report page

the local authority may cause the area to be defined on a map and may pass a resolution
declaring the area so defined to be an improvement area for the purposes of the Part of
of this Act."
The effect of this is to compel owners to improve tenanted dwellings in such areas.
In Circular No. 53/64 the Minister of Housing and Local Government states,
inter alia, that "The choice of areas suitable for improvement will require careful
consideration. The main point the Minister wishes to emphasise is that area improvements
is something more than a means of providing amenities in individual houses. It is
part of the process of urban renewal. So, in choosing areas for early action, and in
implementing their schemes of improvement, local authorities should consider all the
measures which are open to them to fit areas for the requirements of modern living and
for improving the quality of the environment— for example, the provision of new street
furniture, tree planting, more parking facilities, better open spaces. Where the local
authority is implementing, or intends to implement, a smoke control programme, it
may be practicable to make an improvement area also a smoke control area."
The Rent Act, 1957, having amongst its objectives the aim of enabling landlords
by means of an increase of rent, to keep houses still the subject of rent control in a
fair state of repair, was as in the recent past, very little used by tenants. Three
applications for Certificates of Disrepair were received. After service of the proper
notices, one certificate was issued and in two cases the landlords gave undertakings to
correct the defects of repair requested by tenants. The work had not been done at
the end of the year but the time limits had not expired.
Statistical Tables— see pages 69-71.
SHOPS AND OFFICES
The Shops Act, 1950, regulates the hours of closing, conditions of employment
and Sunday trading. Sections 37 and 38 of the Act which dealt with the health
and comfort of shop workers have been repealed by the Offices, Shops and RailwayPremises
Act, 1963.
The public health inspectors are also shops inspectors and they have made 72
inspections in connection with this duty. Contraventions were noted and dealt with
without recourse to formal proceedings.
The number of persons observing the Jewish Sabbath and registered in accordance
with the provisions of Section 53 of the Act is 14.
The Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963, and the Offices, Shops and
Railway Premises First Aid Order, 1964, came into force during the year. The
object of the Act is to raise standards of working conditions in shops, offices and certain
railway premises so as to promote the health, welfare and safety of persons employed
27