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derived therefrom. Several letters expressing thanks and appreciation have been received
by the Department from firms to whom advice and suggestions were offered,,
One hundred and sixty-four observations were taken of industrial chimneys resulting
in 140 visits to factories and in one case legal proceedings were instituted which resulted
in a fine of £5.
HOUSING. The housing situation in the Borough continues to be critical and I am greatly
concerned by the large number of sub-standard houses which must of necessity remain occupied
indefinitely.
A really effective way must be found of reclaiming sub-standard houses before decay
has advanced to a stage when it is useless to try and prolong their life. The Housing Act,
1949, sought to encourage the improvement of this sort of property but it has largely failed
in its purpose. The improvement grant clauses of the Act are permissive and do not require
owners to improve their houses nor local authorities to make grants. For this reason it is
hardly likely that the provisions of the Act will ever bring about the reclamation of substandard
property on a large scale.
It is too early to estimate the success or otherwise which may attend the provisions
of the Housing Repairs and Rents Bill now before Parliament. So far as providing the means
for making a radical change in the position is concerned a significant start has been made
but a great deal will depend on how the remedies are applied. It is recognised that they
are to some extent experimental but with careful scrutiny of early results it should be
possible to adjust the purpose of the proposals by further safeguards in the form of regulations.
During the year, 4,535 notices were served under the Public Health Act, 1936 and 316
summonses were issued in respect of non-compliance.
Nine reports concerning houses or parts of buildings were laid before the Housing
Committee, the premises being (a) unfit for human habitation, and (b) could not be
rendered fit at reasonable cost.
Two demolition Orders were made and two undertakings to make fit were accepted.
One Closing Order was made in respect of a part of a building used, but unfit for human
habitation.
CARAVANS. During the year quite a considerable amount of time was spent in visiting numerous
sites which the owners of caravans would persist in occupying as camping grounds. It was
found necessary in 13 instances to institute proceedings under the Bye-Laws for the Good
Rule and Government of the Borough as the occupants of the caravans did not take kindly to
peaceful persuasion and seemed most reluctant to move on.
The penalties inflicted by the Magistrates Court were £3 in one case, £2 in ten
cases, £2 plus 10/- costs in another and a further one was conditionally discharged on
payment of 4/- costs.
BOMBED SITES. It is pleasing to record that the number of bombed sites in the Borough is
decreasing as the work of reconstruction goes on. Many of these sites have caused serious
nuisance since 1945 by reason of debris of all kinds, offensive and otherwise, being deposited
thereon. Since the end of the war the Department has expended large sums of money in clearing
them of putrescible matter, such as verminous bedding, rags, rotting vegetation, etc.
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