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1,452 notices specifying works to remedy defects such as dampness,
general disrepair, defective drainage, leaking roofs, etc., were served.
1,025 houses were surveyed for the purpose of classification to determine
the extent to which they fall short of the standard of fitness prescribed
by the Housing Acts and the possibility or otherwise of their being
included in a slum clearance scheme or dealt with by demolition or
closing order procedure.
In 19 instances it was found necessary to institute legal proceedings
because of the failure of owners to comply with the requirements of
notices served under the nuisance abatement procedure of the Public
Health Acts. There were also a number of insanitary houses (8) where,
despite statutory action, it was not possible to enforce essential repairs,
and the Public Health Committee were obliged to operate the demolition/closing
procedure under sections 11 and 12, Housing Act, 1936.
The deferred demolition procedure as provided by section 3 of the
Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954, was used to deal with two of
these cases. This decision resulted in the Council acquiring the houses
at site value and maintaining them in a tolerably habitable condition
until the occupants can be re-housed.
Slum Clearance and Redevelopment Areas.
Consequent upon the Government's direction to local authorities
to take active steps to review housing conditions in their areas and
resume full exercise of their powers and statutory responsibilities under
the Housing Acts in relation to slum clearance (curtailed during the
war and post-war periods), the Council instructed its officers to complete
the necessary preparatory work in respect of two areas in the
Borough selected for redevelopment. Between May, 1955, and January,
1956, every house in the Crescent Road Area was surveyed in detail
by the Public Health Inspectorate to determine the extent to which
the houses were defective in relation to disrepair, stability, dampness,
natural lighting, ventilation, water supply, drainage, sanitary facilities and
bad arrangement in relation to other buildings. In February, 1956, the
Medical Officer of Health submitted to the Public Health Committee
an official representation in respect of four Clearance Areas, and a
report prepared jointly with the Chief Public Health Inspector on the
main and material conditions existing in the Areas which in their
opinion rendered demolition of all houses and other buildings necessary,
either by reason of their unfitness for human habitation, or because they
were by reason of their bad arrangement or the narrowness or bad
arrangement of the streets, dangerous or injurious to the health of the
inhabitants of the Areas.
At its meeting on 10th April, 1956, the Public Health Committee
recommended the Council to declare the afore-mentioned areas to be
clearance areas in accordance with the provisions of section 25 of the
Housing Act, 1936, and referred to the Housing and Town Planning
Committee the question of the steps to be taken to secure the clearance
and re-development of the areas and the re-housing of persons to be
displaced. At its meeting on 12th April, 1956, the Housing and Town
Planning Committee supported the recommendation of the Public Health
Committee and recommended the Council to make a compulsory Purchase