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7. OTHER DUTIES.
Assistance was continued during the year under review, to
various Government Departments as well as to other Corporation
Departments, particularly with regard to the issue of Certificates
of Essentiality in connection with applications for building work
licences and for permits to purchase timber and other building
materials.
To assist the Housing Committee in the selection of
tenants 437 visits were made in connection with applications for
housing accommodation, and reports were submitted, giving the
particular circumstances of each case.
Section J.
HOUSING.
During the war years all health officers were buoyed up
with the hope that when hostilities ceased, it would be
possible to make an early start towards catching up with the
arrears of work. Those hopes were destined to be frustrated by
circumstances completely outside the control of local government.
The Ministry of Health made it abundantly clear that
even very insanitary dwellings should not be demolished, if,
by patching up they could be made tolerable for a further short
period; furthermore, local authorities were urged to restrict
the work of maintenance of houses in order that the utmost
effort could be applied to the erection of new houses. It was
indicated that repairs should be limited to the absolute
minimum comparable with the standard of permitted works in
connection with war damaged houses. These restrictions were
necessary owing to the shortage of building materials and of
suitable labour. Nevertheless, a very considerable amount of
repair works was brought about during the year, mainly as the
result of collaboration with the respective owners and their
builders.
The general deterioration in the condition of houses
due to the enforced lack of maintenance was reflected in the
increased number of complaints previously referred to in
this report. In this connection thirty-nine Certificates of
Want of Repair were granted during the year.
During the year building licences were granted by the
Corporation to the value of approximately £158,435 for work
of repair and reconditioning of houses. This figure was in
addition to that involved in the rebuilding of war damaged
houses and the erection of new houses and flats.
The following information has been supplied by the
Borough Surveyor:-