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Preferential Housing on health grounds
Thirteen of the 25 cases investigated were found to come within
the Council's Points Scheme.
Caravans
Although not many caravans find their way into the Borough to
park on derelict sites, the few that do arrive cause no little concern
because of inadequate environmental hygiene conditions (see photograph).
The metropolis cannot offer these facilities for this type of dwelling.
Water is obtained by buckets from nearby residents, refuse is disposed
of by distribution over the site around the caravan, and pail closets
are often emptied into the sewer via the nearest street gully.
To employ the processes of the available laws in order to move
caravans off unsuitable sites is an arduous and tardy procedure. The
first difficulty occurs in serving a summons - the owner or occupier
of the caravan invariably and. coincidentally is absent when the
Warrant Officer calls. The next hope (often a vain one) is that he
will appear at Court to answer the summons. After a lengthy period
- often as long as six months - the summons is heard, complaint proven
and the defendant perhaps fined £1. In effect, he can live at a rent
of £1 for six months and, in consaquence, often stays on the site
awaiting a further summons, or may condescend to move his caravan on
to a derelict site in the next street. There is no provision for the
Court to order the removal of the caravan. The time spent by officers
of the Council to hatch this egg is out of all proportion to the result
achieved.
In order to prevent nuisances arising from misuse of open sites
there should be legislation to compel the person who demolishes any
premises to enclose the site by a suitable wall, not chain link fencing
or chestnut paling, before he leaves the site.
Summonses numbering 11 were taken out against caravanners who
contravened Section 22 of the London County Council (General Powers)
Act, 1959, by stationing their caravans on land which was not licensed
for the purpose. Five summonses were heard, resulting in fines of
£17 with costs of £4.3.0d.
Houses in Multiple Occupation
Part II of the Housing Act, 1961, extends the powers given to
local authorities under Sections 36 and 90 of the Housing Act, 1957,
to deal with houses in multiple occupation. Although the Act itself
came into operation on 24th November 1961, the Regulations made thereunder,
namely, the Housing (Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation)
Regulations 1962, did not come into force until 22nd May 1962.
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