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DETAILS OF SANITARY IMPROVEMENTS ETC.
EFFECTED DURING THE YEAR (CONT.)
NOTES: (i) Further details will "be found under
headings "Food Hygiene',"Factories" , etc.
(ii) No works carried out as a consequence
of action under the Rent Act and
Improvement Grant Scheme are included
above.
IMPROVEMENT GRANTS
The Council continued to operate this scheme in cases
(a) where new housing accommodation would "be provided by the
conversion of an existing building, (b) where additional
accommodation was to be provided by adding rooms to meet the
needs of the family, and (c) where it was intended to improve
the sanitary arrangements and/or the system of water heating.
These grants are now known as "Discretionary Grants"
and are paid solely at the discretion of the local authority.
Seven applications for Discretionary Grants were received,
four were approved, two withdrawn, and one not recommended.
The House Purchase and Housing Act, 1959, requires local
authorities to make grants towards the cost of providing
"standard amenities" in dwellings; and makes certain amendments
to the existing provisions relating to improvement grants.
Further amendments to the scheme were introduced by the
1961 Housing Act.
The standard amenities now are
(a) a fixed bath or shower in a bathroom;
(b) a washhand basin;
(c) a hot water supply at a fixed bath or shower
in a bathroom, and at a washhand basin, and
at a sink;
(d) a water closet in, and accessible from within,
the dwelling;
(e) satisfactory facilities for storing food.
The amount of the "standard grant" which, subject to
certain conditions, can be claimed as of right is one half
of the cost of the approved works, subject to a maximum of
£155.
This limit of £155 is reduced as follows in respect
of amenities which already exist
Amenity Reduction:
£
Fixed bath or shower in a bathroom 25
Washhand basin 5
Hot water supply 75
Water closet 40
Satisfactory food store 10
Forty-four applications for standard grant were received,
35 were approved, 8 not proceeded with, and 1 not recommended.
30.