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23
SECTION C.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
The Chief Sanitary Inspector reports as follows:—
"The Minister of Housing and Local Government strictly enjoined
all local authorities to carefully consider the housing conditions in their
districts with special reference to the promulgation of slum clearance
schemes in respect of property not capable of being made fit for human
habitation and at reasonable cost and to secure improvement of those
dwellings which could be rendered usable as home for a considerable
period compatible with economy. In fulfilment of this exhortation the
Ilford Borough Council authorised a preliminary survey of those properties
which could be considered under these headings; the survey resulted in a
detailed inspection and report on what is now known as the Ilford Lane
Clearance Area, consisting of 32 houses, the occupants of which total 66
persons, the back land and some additional land to make the site suitable
for the re-housing of the displaced families in the area leaving some units
capable of rehousing persons displaced from other areas to be subjected
to like treatment in the not too distant future. The Council resolved
to deal with the matter by way of a compulsory purchase order and its
submission for approval by the Minister followed.
In the same period H.M. Government decided to implement this
housing policy by submitting to Parliament a Housing Repairs and Rents
Bill, which contains far-reaching proposals in respect of clearance areas,
the retention of properties in clearance areas temporarily; to permit purchase
by local authorities of such properties, and to prevent demolition
of houses where a need for their retention exists. Furthermore the Bill
proposes amendments of the standards of fitness for human habitation and
varies in small details Section 9 of the Housing Act 1936. Perhaps the
most extensive of the new proposals is that contained in Part II of the
Bill—allowing an increase in rents of dwellinghouses occupied by statutory
tenants which are (a) in a good state of repair; (b) fit for habitation
according to the standards laid down in Clause 7 of the Bill; (c) the landlord
proves that works of repair to the property have been carried out
over a specified period. There is a right given to the tenant to apply to
the local authority for a certificate that these conditions have not been
complied with by the landlord.
It is expected that this new piece of social legislation will augment
the statute book early in 1954 thus further increasing the local authorities'
housing duties.
The Report Year engendered a grave problem in atmospheric pollution
whereby a serious grit nuisance was created by a factory in the district.
After joint consultation between representatives of the Council, its officers,
representatives of the Company concerned and its advisors and the beneficial
guidance of the London Regional Fuel Advisory Officer, a proposal to
instal new plant to mitigate the nuisance was agreed upon and the necessary
order for this was placed by the company. It is hoped that this longstanding
cause for complaint by the residents affected will now cease.
In the field of Food Hygiene, the Bye-laws made under the Food and
Drugs Act, 1938, Section 15, have produced a marked benefit. All concerned
in the food handling trade, whether employer or employee, owner
or occupier, cook or waitress, are now fully conversant with the requirements
as to standards of sanitation and the hygienic handling, wrapping
and delivery of food in both closed and exposed premises.
The two Sanitary Officers concerned primarily with the work of
educating the trade and public have pursued their task with fidelity and
the recipients of their advice and assistance have declared their thanks
by improving the standard of hygiene in their own premises. Lectures
and film strip exhibitions have been given to all willing to have them and
proprietors have not been loth to afford facilities to their staffs to attend
them. This teaching of hygiene was extended to the Ilford schools and it
is hoped that there will be increased co-operation with this group, perhaps