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should be made- some authorities suggest bi-annual or even quarterly
visits. This was impossible, but the policy adopted by the Public Health
Committee in 1957 was adhered to. This involved the further inspection
during 1963 of all those premises found unsatisfactory in some respect
in 1962 and then a concentration on those satisfactory premises oldest
in date of last inspection. While all the premises last inspected and
found satisfactory in 1959 were revisited and a start made on those of
1960, this three-year period between inspections continues to be a
source of considerable concern.
HOUSING
A total of 182 houses were inspected for 'sanitary defects' under the
Public Health and Housing Acts. Few major works of repair were
needed and informal action secured the desired result in all but 20 cases
where statutory action had to be taken. Legal proceedings were taken in
connection with the vacating and demolishing of one house. It is desirable
that a systematic inspection of houses should be made by house-tohouse
visits, but this was not possible with the staff available. The 182
houses examined were inspected on complaint or while visiting for
another purpose such as Infectious Disease Control. 110 notices were
served as follows-
Intimation notices 90 (54 in 1962)
Statutory notices
Public Health Act 20 (23 in 1962)
Housing Act 0 ( 0 in 1962)
The Urban District is often regarded as consisting largely of modern
owner-occupied houses, but this is not strictly true. Most of the area
was developed between the wars, but there is a considerable area of
older property in the northern part of the district and the Smoke Control
Surveys continue to reveal that some 5% of the more modern houses
are rented, and in some cases by two or more families.
Moveable Dwellings.
No application was received for a licence to station a caravan on
land within the district during the year.
Overcrowding
The position with regard to statutory overcrowding is still reasonably
satisfactory, although this standard is quite low in relation to the usual
room/occupant ratio. One case was found during the year in addition to
the five previous cases. All the occupiers affected were applicants under
consideration by your Housing Department.
Certificates of Disrepair.
Under the provisions of the 1957 Rent Act, four applications for
certificates were received during the year and one was granted, undertakings
to carry out works being given by the owners in the other three
cases. One certificate was revoked, the necessary work having been
completed.
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