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considerably reduce the number of people who have to travel
outside the Borough to their places of employment, thus creating
an improvement in general working conditions by a reduction in
travelling time
Housing Act, 1957 - Demolition and Closing Orders
During the year the Council made3 demolition and 2 closing
orders (one in respect of underground rooms) following representations
by the Department
Four of these properties were occupied and necessitated
the rehousing of 13 persons
One closing order — made in 1971 in respect of a ground
floor flat — was determined by the Council following repairs and
improvement by the owner which brought the flat up to the
required standard.
Conversion to Natural Gas
In the Annual Reports for 1969 and 1970 information was
included from North Thames Gas of the progress of their programme
of conversion to natural gas within the Borough-
Unfortunately no information was forthcoming last year but
this year North Thames Gas state that considerable progress has
been made since 1970 and in the conversion exercise has
moved completely away from ine Essex Area into Central and
East London and the last conversions of premises within the
Borough were in mid March 1971. Over 76,000 premises and
229,000 gas appliances within Havering were converted and they
again recorded their appreciation for the co-operation received
from the Council during this phase of a massive operation
Subsequently they centralised the administrative facilities
for Customer Service, and other functions, in new premises at
Southend in order to provide improved service and expect to
continue to effect improvements Close contact is maintained
with officers of the Council and recently discussed, with the
Director of Social Services special schemes for the elderly and
handicapped
Clean Air Act, 1956 — Smoke Control Areas
The Havering (No 6) Smoke Control Area - which had
been deferred for 2 years - was confirmed by the Minister of
Housing and Local Government on the 19th July, 1972, the Order
coming into operation on 1st July, 1973.
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