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10
concerned with the admission of elderly persons to Part III accommodation.
Housing.
During the year 153 houses and 22 flats were added to the Council's
estate bringing the total of properties owned up to 1,817.
Unfortunately it will not be possible to maintain this rate of progress
in subsequent years since there is very little more land available for
building purposes.
The question of Slum Clearance was examined during the year,
and, after careful consideration I submitted to the Health Committee
a list of 90 properties which I felt that I would be prepared to represent
as unfit for human habitation and that the most satisfactory
method of dealing with them would be by demolition.
Although both the Health and Housing Committees were anxious
to deal with this comparatively small amount of slum property their
inability to rehouse those displaced presented a serious problem.
Unfortunately, few of the sites enumerated would be of much use
for rebuilding purposes.
Finally, it was decided to make a start by representing 1-3,
California Cottages, Kew Green and 1-3, Berridges Cottages, Richmond.
Orders for the demolition of these properties were confirmed
by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and all families
had been rehoused before the end of the year.
Unfit property of this type should be dealt with even though there
may be a considerable waiting list. These properties can only become
more and more unhealthy by delaying the day of their demolition.
It is hoped that there will be sufficient building within the next year
or so to cover these needs.
Sanitary Circumstances.
The report of the Chief Sanitary Inspector is included in Sections
C, D and E, and reference to these shows the large and varied amount
of work carried out by the team of Inspectors and the Rodent Control
Staff.
All details regarding the sale of food have been grouped together
and, at the request of the Ministry of Health, additional details have
been included.