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is also excluded from the sale a small triangular piece of land on the eastern
boundary of the site having an area of about .87 acres. There is included in
the sale a 40 ft. strip of land between the sports grounds of the two Clubs above
referred to leading from Sidcup Road to the site to be purchased.
Mr. Hunt advises that the sum of £90,000, representing about £327 an
acre, is not an unreasonable amount to pay for this site. The Council will
also be required to pay the legal costs of the Commissioners and their Surveyor's
charges, estimated together at £1,200.
We are of opinion that the land should be acquired by the Council for
housing purposes.
It will be sold subject to the present leases and tenancies, and we have
asked Mr. Hunt to advise us in the settlement of tenants' claims in connection
therewith.
We have approved a provisional lay-out of the site, which will be displayed
in the Council Chamber, but which will probably require amendment in details
as various sections are developed.
The lay-out provides an average density over the whole estate of 8 houses
to the acre (approximately 2,200 houses), ample provision being made for Open
Spaces and Schools.
The Borough Treasurer, at our request, has submitted a statement shewing
the revenue income and expenditure from which it appears that the deficiency to
be met by the Council, after crediting Government and County Council subsidies
based on the present grants, will approximate on completion of the Estate to
a sum of £13,910 per annum for 40 years, equivalent to a present rate of 3½din
the £. This statement is, of course, provisional, as no detailed estimates
are yet available for the cost of road and sewer work, or the construction of
houses, and the income being based upon similar rents to those charged on the
present Estate."
Houses Let in Lodgings.—No register is now kept of Houses let in Lodgings;
532 inspections of such houses were made, 46 offences were discovered and 39 notices
served.
Tents and Vans.—By-laws regulating the use of these were made by the
Council in 1903. All tents and vans (which are few in number) were inspected
regularly and steps taken to ensure that the By-laws were being observed. The
total number of inspections made was 26.
Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Acts, 1920 and 1923.—
During the year one application was received from the occupier of a house and
78 from occupiers of hutments for certificates that the premises were not in
a reasonable state of repair. In the case of the house the certificate was granted.
In the case of the hutments about half the applications were made towards the
end of the year and so 24 were under consideration on 31st December. In 27
instances certificates were granted, and in the remaining 27 cases the applications
were refused.