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25
Improvement Grants.
In connection with applications under this heading our advice has
been sought in 70 instances during the year. Our opinion has then been
submitted to the Clerk (copy to Surveyor) for consideration by the
Committee when the application for grant came up for determination.
Re-Housing—Medical Aspects.
My advice was sought during the year on some 141 housing applications
respecting which medical recommendations for priority had been
submitted by hospitals or private practitioners.
Overcrowding.
No survey has yet been undertaken specifically but every opportunity
is taken during routine house visiting for a wide variety of other reasons,
e.g., medical priority enquiries for re-housing and the like, to form a
general picture of the trend -which does not appear to be unsatisfactory.
Sub-standard Aecomrnodation.
A certain amount of relatively sporadic demolition and closure
action has taken place but. considering the extent of population of the
District, accommodation of this kind does not represent a very material
problem. Nevertheless, small blocks of houses, possibly approaching a
border-line classification, do deteriorate with age and whilst no large
scale activity is to be anticipated, regular observation of the District
will unquestionably throw up regularly a certain number of houses in
respect of which demolition or closure steps will be recommended to
you.
Caravans.
Relatively little trouble has occurred from this source. One or two
open spaces, notably Bridge Road. Rainham, are prone to have a few
visitors from time to time, but the only long-standing reminder that the
law is not oppressive remains in Rainham where the Lake Avenue site
has not yet regained a rural appearance.
The present position outlined in previous reports ^hows an improvement
but not a resolution of the difficulties.
Land Charges Enquiries.
During the year 3,966 land charges enquiries were referred to the
Department regarding the question of outstanding sanitary notices and/or
certificates of disrepair.
This is one of the routine unpublicised but time-consuming occupations
of the department.