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106
Under the Food and Drugs Act, action was taken in respect of eight
cases involving foreign matter in food-stuff. Fines in these cases totalling
£137 5s. Od. were imposed plus costs amounting to £39 13s. Od.
HOUSING
During the year seven properties were the subject of reports to the
Health Committee with a view to action being taken under either the
Clearance, Demolition or Closing Order provisions of the Housing Acts.
As a result of these reports and of action commenced during 1965,
Closing Orders were made in respect of 140 College Hill Road, 77/79
Roxborough Road, 91 Herga Road, 95 High Street, Edgware and 64
Byron Road, Wealdstone, and Nos. 27, 31 and 33 Sheepcote Road were
made the subject of a Clearance Order.
Properties Demolished
Ten unfit properties were demolished during the year, namely, 27.45
(odd numbers inclusive) Northolt Road, South Harrow.
In addition, two properties the subject of a Closing Order were
reconditioned and the Orders lifted pursuant to Section 27 of the Housing
Act, 1957. The properties in question being 15 Middle Road and 16 Crown
Street.
Unfit Properties
The number of families rehoused by the Council from dwellings the
subject of Orders made under the provisions of the Housing Acts, relating
to unfit properties, was seven. In addition, one family was rehoused from
accommodation that was statutorily overcrowded.
Overcrowding
On the 1st January, 1966 there were eleven known cases of statutory
overcrowding in the district. This is the lowest figure recorded since the
standard, on which overcrowding is based, was introduced by the Housing
Act, 1935. It reveals a position that, by comparison with many areas,
is satisfactory, but, at the same time, the true significance of this figure has
to be considered in relation to the accommodation that is available for
those families who are today sharing accommodation with relatives or
friends. For example, in 1936 when the number of cases of overcrowding
known to the department was 187, and in 1937 when the number stood at
121, the number of vacant properties in the district was considerable. The
overcrowding in these years stemmed from causes other than the shortage
of suitable accommodation. Today it is unfortunately the very absence of
suitable accommodation that is the cause of current overcrowding problems.
During the year five new cases were added to the register and six
were removed from it. Of these cases, one family was rehoused by the
Council and five other cases were abated by other means, e.g. by a family
finding other accommodation for themselves, either within or outside the
district. The number of cases on the register on the 1st January, 1967
was ten.