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Housing - During 1954 the Corporation completed 56
housing units, but all of these had to be constructed
outside the Borough. A further 45 units were erected byprivate
enterprise.
The Borough is almost completely built up, and an
indication of the density of the resident population has
already been mentioned.
The question of dealing with obsolete houses claims
immediate attention.
The time has come for the demolition of those
dwellings which are incapable at reasonable cost of being
made fit, and it will be necessary to prepare and submit
to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government a plan
for the clearance of unfit properties and for rehousing
the occupants.
Staff - In May 1954 the removal to other premises
was finally completed in respect of the North Central
Divisional staff of the Surrey County Council. Since
July 1948, when the National Health Service Act 1946
came into operation, accommodation has been provided in
the Guildhall for the administrative headquarters of this
Division, for which your Medical Officer is the
Divisional Medical Officer.
With the transfer of the new Divisional Headquarters
to the Health Centre, Grange Road, Kingston, finally
completed it has been possible to provide adequate
accommodation for the Public Health Department staff in
the Guildhall. Further, the arrangement by which some
officers were shared between the Surrey County Council
and the Kingston Borough Council has ceased, and all
members of the Public Health Department staff are now
100% in the service of the Corporation.
I gladly record my thanks for the support and
encouragement to me in my work, to His Worship the Mayor,
Aldermen and Councillors. I specially record my
appreciation of the understanding and help given by the
Chairman of the Public Health Committee at all times to
the Department. I also wish to acknowledge the hard work
and loyal support of the staff of the Public Health
Department, and the unfailing co-operation and advice of
my fellow Chief Officers.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
J.W. STARKEY.
Medical Officer of Health.