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91
One property the subject of a C losing Order was reconditioned and
the Order lifted namely:-
31 St. Kilda's Road, Harrow
Three properties the subject of Orders were demolished:71,
81, 83 Byron Road, Wealdstone
During the year 10 families were rehoused by the Council from
dwellings the subject of Orders made pursuant to the Housing Acts.
Overcrowding
Reference was made in the Annual Report for 1972 to the arrival
in the Borough of Asian families from Uganda and to the effect they
were having on overcrowding. From three cases on the 1st January,
1972, the number rose to 48 on the 31st December. The peak however
was reached during March 1973 when the register contained details of
62 families living under conditions of statutory overcrowding.
Thirty-one of these cases of overcrowding were abated during the
year, the number on the register on 31st December, 1973 being 31.
During 1948 the number of recorded cases was 628.
CLEAN AIR
Survey of Air Pollution
The Council continued to maintain two recording stations at which
daily measurements of the amount of smoke and sulphur dioxide in the
atmosphere were made. The results were sent to the Warren Spring
Laboratory of the Department of Trade and Industry where similar
readings from other parts of the Country were collated and assessed.
Smoke Control — Progress during 1973
During the year Smoke Control Orders Nos. 26 and 27 came into
operation covering 1,015 acres involving 6,415 premises including 6,190
dwellings. The total acreage now subject to Smoke Control Orders in
the Borough is 10,359 covering 57,697 dwellings. This represents approximately
82% of the total number of dwellings in the Borough. In addition
Smoke Control Orders Nos. 28 and 29 were confirmed by the Department
of the Environment. These will come into operation in July and November
1974 respectively and will bring a further 6,372 dwellings under control,
raising the percentage of dwellings the subject of Smoke Control Orders
to 91%.
In the year under review 2,497 visits were made in connection with
smoke control matters, including the investigation of complaints of
nuisance from domestic and industrial premises. Work to the value of
£29,373 was completed at 373 dwellings as compared with 249 during
1972. The average cost per claim rose during the year reflecting increases
in the cost of appliances and labour, plus the effect of Value Added Tax.