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Mobile Dwellings (including Caravans)
During the year site .licences for 183 Mobile Dwellings erected by
the London County Council, were granted under the provisions of Section
22 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1959. The licences
are issued for a period of three years, subject to further application
on a year-to-year basis. (See photograph facing page 38).
The Council agreed, following a recommendation of the Public Health
Committee, that in future vacant sites in Council development areas be
fenced with corrugated iron instead of chestnut paling, which experience
had proved was soon damaged allowing lorry drivers to fly-tip refuse on
to the site and caravan dwellers to occupy them.
Summonses numbering 18 were taken out against caravanners who contravened
this section by stationing their caravans on land which was not
licensed for the purpose. Eleven summonses were heard, resulting in
fines of £49.10.0 with costs of £21.2.0.
A summons brought against the owner of a fairground under the
Council's Pleasure Fair Byelaws was dismissed, the Magistrate finding
the case not proven.
Houses in Multiple Occupation
A large proportion of the time and effort of officers in the department's
Housing section was devoted this year to use of the Council's
powers under the provisions of Part II of the Housing Act 1961 and
Regulations made thereunder.
Despite the lengthy procedure involved in making Management Orders,
it was found possible to make Orders affecting 71 premises and to serve
notices of intention to make orders in respect of 60 other houses. An
appeal lodged against the making of one management order was subsequently
withdrawn.
Necessary works to remedy conditions caused by neglect of management
were completed in 37 houses -in one case by the Council in default, and
were in hand in many other premises at the end of the year. In all, 193
houses were being dealt with by formal or informal action at the end of
the year.
Following action being taken under the provisions of Part II. of the
Housing Act .1961, notices to quit were served in some cases on occupants
of lodgings. This caused some concern to the Council, and a reference
was submitted to the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee with
a view to representations being made to the Minister of Housing and Local
Government to introduce legislation to afford a reasonable measure of
protection to tenants and their families. Subsequently, this was brought
to the attention of the Member of Parliament for the constituency with the
request that he take up the matter in connection with the Housing Bill now
before Parliament.