View report page

13
defects in plumbing, 90 from dampness and 51 from defective waterclosets.
Complaints as to rats and mice numbered 70, and as to insect
and vermin infestation 14 ; 235 complaints were from defects in or absence
of dustbins. 47 complaints were received regarding such matters as
flooded gardens and air raid shelters, accumulations of milk bottles, overgrowing
of gardens with weeds, defective fences and burning of garden
rubbish.
Informal action in 1,333 instances was followed by the abatement
of the nuisances in 1,205 cases. During the year 73 statutory notices
under the Public Health Acts were served, 67 being complied with,
though in 24 instances the work was executed in default by the local
authority. Under the Housing Acts 23 statutory notices were served,
16 being complied with.
Inspection of Houses.
228 surveys were carried out under the Housing Acts, mostly following
receipt of an application from the owner or agent for a certificate of
particulars of the number of persons permitted to occupy the premises.
The total number of certificates issued since the coming into force of
these sections of the Act is 10,304. 20 houses were inspected under the
Housing Regulations.
Overcrowding.
In a report submitted October, 1942, the then position in regard
to overcrowding was summarised. On January 1st, only 17 cases of
statutory overcrowding were known. This figure increased to 36, of
which nine were single family occupants, 23 were of families occupying
part of a house or rooms, and in two cases the overcrowding was of one
room. These figures, of course, do not represent the true state of the
overcrowding of the district. Only a complete survey would bring to
light this information which again would relate only to the statutory
overcrowding. Families living in conditions in which crowding is short
of that standard though are found to be existing in distressing conditions,
more particularly those families where one is suffering from active tuberculosis
or where there are small children. Consideration was given to
the means by which the Council could have available accommodation to
meet some of these difficult cases.
Housing Act, 1936.
A closing order was made in respect of the rooms over the stables
1 to 4, Canning Place, Canning Road, Wealdstone, prohibiting their use
for human habitation.
The Committee being satisfied that exceptional circumstances
existed necessitating the demolition of the houses included in the confirmed
Broadway, Stanmore, Clearance Order, 1937, and the High Street,
Stanmore, No. 2, Order of 1937, authority was given for the necessary
steps to be taken to secure their demolition.
Verminous Premises.
' 8 premises were inspected on receipt of complaint of infestation by
insects or vermin, ants, crickets, beetles, cockroaches, etc. The number
°f premises found to be bug infested was 64.