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9
Housing.
During the year 17 permanent flats were added to the Council's
estate bringing the total of properties owned up to 1834. The future
programme is limited by shortage of building space and there is no
easy solution to the problem of giving up requisitioned properties,
dearing unfit dwellings, and attempting to re-house families who, for
long, have been living under most unsatisfactory conditions.
There are some 137 dwellings in the borough which are unfit and
which should be demolished. These should be dealt with as soon as
possible as with each passing year they deteriorate even further. In
addition, there are properties which are in poor condition and which
are not receiving the maintenance they require. These continue to
deteriorate and in time will become unfit for habitation and thus come
into the category of properties suitable only for demolition.
Thus, if the Council is to solve its slum problem there is need for
action in the near future—delay will only lead to even greater difficulties
at a later date.
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 undertaken by the team of Inspectors and the Rodent Control
Staff.
Richmond Borough Council became a Food and Drugs Authority
during the year and the Health Department took over these duties
from the Surrey County Council as from the 1st April.
These duties have been undertaken by the Inspectors without any
increase in Staff. There were considerable difficulties at first because
of the shortage of one Inspector but these have been overcome.
There is no doubt that assumption of these duties was a very good
'tiove on the part of the Council. Not only is there a considerable
financial saving, but it is obviously more effective for food sampling
to be carried out by local officers who have an intimate knowledge of
the district and know the tradesmen, rather than by officers of the
County Council who cannot have his knowledge.
On the whole it has been found that the nature and quality of
foodstuffs sold are of a satisfactory standard.