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(Clearance Areas Nos. 1 to 8) Compulsory Purchase Order, 1970,
involving 110 houses was pending at the end of the year. Work in
connection with this was in hand.
A closing order was made in respect of one individually unfit
house (Bungalow, Pig Yard, Aberdeen Road, Mitcham) during 1970.
The total number of visits to premises of all kinds was 5,270.
Proposed General Improvement Area.
The South Wimbledon Area Joint Sub-Committee previously set
up by the Council continued their deliberations during the year. Discussion
on proposals within the Area excluded those houses and lands
already being dealt with under slum clearance procedure (referred to
in the Housing Services Section of this Report). A Working Party of
officers was set up and I was represented at the six meetings held.
Considerable progress was made during 1970 towards the declaration
of a General Improvement Area.
SERVICES UNDER OTHER ENACTMENTS
Rent Act, 1957/68—Certificates of Disrepair.
The following is a summary of applications dealt with during
1970:—
Applications received (Form I) 3
Decisions not to issue Certificates Nil
Certificates issued (Form L) 1
Undertakings given (Form K) 2
Number of visits made II
Shops Acts, 1950-65.
The Shops Acts regulate the closing hours of shops and the
working hours of shop assistants. Shops in the Borough have been
kept under observation and contraventions have been remedied. Formal
action has also been taken in respect of general closing hours,
half-day closing, and Sunday trading. During the year, advice has
been given when required to the three Chambers of Commerce, and
to individual shopkeepers. Inspection records were added to and the
Shops Register kept up-to-date
In the Annual Report 1969,1 referred to the likelihood of a further
approach being made by certain traders in connection with six-day
trading week procedure. I had discussions with certain interested
parties during 1970 and in November one particular Supermarket firm
undertook to conduct a postal ballot to ascertain the views of all the
shopkeepers in the Borough. I supplied a copy of the List of Shopkeepers,
and the firm hopes to produce sufficient evidence to warrant
the making of an application to the Council to consider the making of
a Six-day Trading Order. The result of the ballot was not available
at 31st December, 1970.
Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963.
For many years there has been legislation to protect the health
and safety of employees in factories, but until 1964 only limited
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