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27
Overcrowding
There has been little change in the extent of overcrowding which still remains prevalent.
The Housing Manager has kindly supplied the details of overcrowding in the area, which have been
based mainly on statements of housing applicants (Table 28), and also details of new dwellings constructed
during the year (Table 29).
Applicants to the Council for mortgage for the purchase of a house, can submit a medical certificate
or a certificate of overcrowding in support of the application. These certificates are assessed and information
given to the Borough Treasurer to assist in discriminating at the medical level.
Housing on Medical Grounds
Each medical certificate and all medical evidence provided in support of an application for rehousing,
is submitted for assessment, and points may be granted up to a maximum of five in respect of a medical
claim. The medical part of the evidence is carefully examined and, in order to achieve uniformity, the whole
of these assessments are made by one individual officer. It is possible for the Medical Officer to recommend a
separate bedroom if requisite and in case of exceptionally severe illness a recommendation may be made that
the case is brought to the immediate attention of the Committee.
During the year, 962 cases were considered and awarded points, where appropriate, on medical
grounds. In addition, 209 applications for transfer on medical grounds were dealt with.
Notices Served under the Public Health Acts, 1936 and 1961,
and Housing Acts, 1957 and 1961
The large number of statutory notices served was maintained (Table 30).
No Management Orders under Section 12, Housing Act, 1961, were served during the year.
Nuisances Abated and Improvements Effected
A summary of nuisances abated and improvements effected in dwelling houses is shown in Table 31.
Rent Act, 1957
Details of the applications received and the certificates issued up to the end of the year are shown in
Table 32.
Work in Default
The Department assumes responsibility for carrying out work when owners do not comply with the
requirements of Statutory Notices served under the Housing, Public Health and various other Acts.
Housing Act, 1969
The above-mentioned Act which came into force on 25th August, 1969, provided wider powers for
the provision of grants for improvement and conversion of property for private owners and housing
associations.
It also provided powers for the conversion of controlled tenancies to regulated tenancies and dwellings
where (a) the standard amenities have at all times since the commencement of the Act been provided
for exclusive use of its occupants and (b) any of the standard amenities previously lacking were provided
by means of works begun before the commencement of the Act, and (c) where it is also in good repair.
The Health and Welfare Department are responsible for the work involved in determining whether
or not a certificate shall be issued or refused.
When a certificate is issued, the Landlord is enabled to apply to the Rent Officer for a fair rent
to be fixed for the dwelling.
From the commencement of the Act until the end of the year 433 applications were received and
whilst the principal object of the Act seemed to be the improvement of dwellings with grant aided assistance
where necessary, the applications received, except for a very small percentage, related to those premises
where the amenities are already in existence.
CLEAN AIR
The No. 6 (Willesden Green) Smoke Control Order came into operation on 1st August, 1969, and
there are now 24 Orders operative as shown in Table 33.
Volumetric analysis of sulphur dioxide and measurement of smoke concentration continued at Kilburn
Senior High School and at the G.P.O. Research Station.
Fifty-five notifications of new boiler plant were received in accordance with Section 3 of the Clean
Air Act, 1956, and the heights of 20 new chimneys were determined.
The proprietor of a greengrocer's shop in Kingsbury was prosecuted under the Clean Air Act, 1956
in respect of nuisance from bonfires. He was ordered to cease the nuisance in seven days and the Council
were awarded £5 costs.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD AND FOOD PREMISES
The Food Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1960, prescribe standards for the preparation, storage and
sale of food, and since the earlier Regulations of 1955 came into force there has been a steady improvement
in hygiene in the production and sale of food. In January, 1967, The Food Hygiene (Market, Stalls and
Delivery Vehicles) Regulations, 1966, came into operation with the object of bringing the hygiene of stalls to
the standard required in premises. Provision is made, however, for the vendors of certain low-risk foods, e.g.
fruit and vegetables, to be exempted from the need to carry full washing facilities if these are available nearby,
and ten stallholders have qualified for certificates of such exemption.