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11
CHIEF PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT
Housing—Demolition and Closure
Action within the framework of the Council's programme
for dealing with unfit houses was continued, details of which
are given below.
The Council has pursued a continuous policy in this matter
since 1950 and the worst of the unfit houses have now been
dealt with. The rehousing of the people displaced tended to
become more difficult as with a reduced building programme
there was less interchange of accommodation and this is necessary
to provide the varying types of dwelling required to meet
the needs of the different sized family units to be accommodated.
It is particularly difficult at times to provide suitable
accommodation for persons living on their own.
The Council has always made it a special feature of the
programme that every endeavour be made to rehouse people
displaced, as far as possible in accordance with their desires.
As a result there has been little friction and it is believed that
hardship has been kept at a minimum.
One or two owners considered making offers to carry out
works of repair, rather than have their houses demolished, but
almost invariably, after full consideration, decided not to do so
and to accept demolition orders.
It was necessary to have one pair of cottages demolished
in the owner's default.
From 1946 until the end of 1956, 211 houses have been
dealt with as follows: —
Demolition Orders made 189
Agreements entered into with owners to "close"
or repair or Closing Orders made 18
Houses demolished 149
Houses demolished as a result of informal action 4
Persons who have been displaced 514
Action taken during 1956 is as follows:—
Housing Act, 1936
Houses reported to Public Health Committee as
being unfit 40
Demolition Orders made 41