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The position with the 8 representations is as follows:
Applications for grants by owners Nil
Houses found to be unfit and dealt with by Closing Orders —
Representations cancelled 1
Immediate Notices served on owners —
Negotiations with owners in progress 7
Improvement Grants
Many more applications for improvement (discretionary) grants were made than for standard
grants and more owner/occupiers applied than landlords of tenanted properties. The improvement
(discretionary) grant enables a grant to be made not only for improvements but also for repairs which
are necessary to make the improvements fully effective and to give the property the requisite life of
30 years. Owners of property who received repair notices were not unwilling to carry out the repairs
and improvements which were necessary because of the attraction of financial aid for this purpose
and the scheme was a very useful instrument in the long term objective of preserving older houses.
Towards the end of the year however the Council reviewed its policy on improvement grants with
the possibility that this type of grant may be restricted to owner/occupiers. Unimproved tenanted
dwellings will not altogether be excluded from the benefits of this grant, but a special committee
may wish to investigate the rent aspect of tenanted dwellings before agreeing to make this higher
grant. The standard grant may be made to a qualified applicant for the provision of standard amenities,
but this grant excludes any element for repairs. More financial aid has been made this year than in
any other previous year since 1968, and some interesting figures have been extracted showing
that of the 94 houses improved and the 17 new dwelling units formed from the conversion of larger
houses the following defects were remedied.
W.C. pans and traps repaired/renewed 8
W.C. ventilation improved 2
Manhole covers renewed 2
Gullies repaired/renewed 12
Roofs repaired/renewed 106
Chimney stacks repaired/renewed 58
Brickwork pointing, rendering etc. repaired/renewed 92
Gutters R.W.P.'s waste pipes repaired/renewed 79
Yard paving repaired/renewed/provided 23
Paintwork renewed 23
Dampness remedied 203
Walls and ceilings repaired/renewed (rooms) 172
Floors repaired/renewed 79
Doors, windows, repaired/renewed 533
Stairs repaired/renewed 17
Flues repaired/improved 1
Fireplaces repaired/renewed 17
Sinks renewed/provided 11
Ventilation provided/improved 8
Other defects 18
Lighting improved 3
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