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11
LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL REGULATIONS.
The following is a copy of a communication which was received from the London
County Council addressed to the Architects with regard to the plans of the Baths
Buildings and which was communicated to the Baths Committee on the 23rd
November, 1897.
LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL.
Gentlemen,—
I have to inform you that the Council has approved the nine drawings, seven dated 15th
May, and two dated 11th August,' 1897, in regard to the Shoreditch Public Baths on the
following conditions:—
(1) That the Balcony be constructed to the satisfaction of the District Surveyor.
(2) That a space of 2ft. 4 inches by 1ft. 8 inches be allowed for each of the balcony seats.
(3) That the works be commenced within six months and be carried out in all respects
in accordance with the London Building Act, 1894.
I am to add that upon the satisfactory completion of the building in accordance with
the approved drawings and the above conditions a certificate under the Metropolis Management
and Building Act Amendment Act, 1878, will be sealed and issued to the owners of the
premises.
I am, Gentlemen,
Messrs. Spalding & Cross, Your obedient servant,
15, Queen Street, (Signed) F. BELL,
Cheapside, E.C. For the Clerk of the Council.
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES.
(a) MOIRA PLACE AND PLUMBER'S PLACE AREA.
During the year the Vestry completed the acquisition of all the property on this
area, and demolished all the buildings thereon. Upon the clearance of the site, the
Housing Committee instructed me to report upon the position of the undertaking at
that stage, and on the 13th January, 1898, I made the following report upon the
progress of the scheme.
"Gentlemen,
"In accordance with your instructions, I beg to submit the following report upon
the completion of the purchase of Moira Place and Plumber's Place Area.
"It will be remembered that under the original order of the Home Secretary with
regard to this scheme, the London County Council were ordered to pay half the
expenses of carrying it out, and a dispute arose between the Council and
the Vestry whether these expenses meant "gross" expenses of acquiring the
property, or "nett" expenses after allowing for recoupment from the value
of the land used for re-building purposes. I advised the Vestry that, owing to the
construction of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, "expenses" meant
"gross" expenses, and this opinion was confirmed by counsel's opinion taken by the
London County Council. Nevertheless, the Council would not concede the
point, which was not free from doubt, and the Vestry accordingly petitioned the
Home Secretary to make an order on the London County Council to pay a lump sum,
which was, after a great deal of negotiation and correspondence, fixed at £27,500, the
total cost of the scheme being taken at £55,000, a valuation agreed to by the Council's
valuer and the Vestry. From a memorandum of the Accountant, under date 13th