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IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.
The Housing Act, 1949 introduced a scheme to encourage
property owners to modernise existing houses "which though
soundly constructed and in good general repair, lack the
amenities and conveniences which have come to be regarded
as essential to a decent and healthy life", by providing
financial assistance for works of improvement.
The Council continued to operate this scheme in cases
where new housing accommodation would be provided by the
conversion of an existing building, where additional
accommodation was to be provided by adding rooms, and where
it was intended to improve the sanitary arrangements and/or
the system of water heating.
Twenty-one applications for grants were received during
the year. Fifteen were recommended by the Council and
approved by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.
The remainder were disposed of as follows
Rejected Withdrawn Consideration deferred.
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The grants were in respect of ten works to provide hot
water system, bath, internal W.C. etc., four to provide
additional living accommodation and one conversion to flats.

During the year efforts were made by the Ministry to
stimulate public interest in the scheme and to encourage
Councils to be less reluctant to make grants.
The publicity given brought a large number of enquiries
as well as the highest number of applications so far received
in any year.

Unfortunately the private landlord has still not been
attracted in this district and so far only three grants
(one a conversion) have been made to other than owner/occupiers.
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