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60
The following Clearance Orders made earlier by the Council received
confirmation from the Ministry during the year:-
Mandeville Street area, comprising 5 houses
Millers Terrace, areas 1 & 2, comprising 11 houses
Oswald Street area, comprising 4 houses
Ridley Road area, comprising 15 houses
The position regarding Treshaiii Avenue Clearance Area had still not been
determined, since an appeal to the House of Lords was pending.
Individual Unfit Premises
Nineteen Closing Orders were made in respect of whole houses during the
year plus five Closing Orders in respect of self-contained flats.
Closing Orders were made in respect of 51 rooms including 47 Underground
rooms.
During the year five Closing Orders were determined and one Undertaking
cancelled, the premises having been made fit. Legal proceedings were instituted
in respect of five contraventions of Closing Orders and resulted in the defendants
incurring penalties totalling £80 with £20 costs.
HOUSING ACT 1961
Management Orders
Management Orders were made in respect of thirteen houses where proper
standards of management had not been maintained, bringing the total number of
Management Orders made by the Council to 150. Generally compliance with the
Housing (Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Regulations 1962 was
secured as a result of informal action, but in respect of eight houses legal
proceedings were instituted and fines totalling £348, with £35 costs, were imposed.
Directions
During the year 55 Directions were given and there are now 2,075 houses
which are subject to Direction. Legal proceedings in respect of contraventions
of Directions were successful in eight instances, the owners being fined a total
of £425 with £35 costs. One Direction was varied so as to increase the number
of individuals who should occupy the house concerned, the owner having provided
additional amenities. Failure to furnish statements of the occupancy of three
houses resulted in the owners being fined a total of £145 with £12 costs.
Registers of Houses in Multiple Occupation
Section 22 of the Housing Act, 1961 enables local authorities to make,
subject to confirmation by the Minister, a scheme for the compilation and
maintenance of a register for the whole or part of their areas of houses in
multiple occupation. Any such scheme prescribes the particulars to be registered,
makes it the duty of appropriate persons to notify the local authority of the
particulars for registration, and to notify any change. Such a scheme is an
"informatory" scheme and public notice must be given, both of the intention to
submit a scheme and, subsequently, of its confirmation.
These powers are extended by Section 64 of the Housing Act, 1969, which
provides for "control" provisions to be incorporated in a scheme for preventing
multiple occupation to a greater extent than permitted. This is known as a
regulatory scheme and also requires that public notice must be given of
intention to submit the scheme to the Minister, and of confirmation.
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