[Report 1964] / Medical Officer of Health, Bridge-Blean R.D.C.

  • Bridge-Blean (England). Rural District Council.
Date:
1964
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1964] / Medical Officer of Health, Bridge-Blean R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    5/20 (page 3)
    HOUSING Vifork in this field has greatly diminished especially with regard to the representation of unfit dwellings. This, of course, has come about mainly by reason of the fact that the back of the problem resulting from the I96O Housing Survey has been broken and there cnly remains the odd properties occupied either by the owner or a tenant unwilling to be rehoused. These must be tackled in I965 and careful consideration will have to be given to each case. The seven properties represented during the year arose from the allocation of Council house tenancies in Petham which again stresses the wise decision of the Council some years ago to give priority consideration to applicants residing in unfit houses. The rehousing has also made it unnecessary for the Council to use its powers to obtain vacant possession of these properties so alleviating hardship and anxiety. It is pleasing to report that 30 unfit properties were rendered fit following action under Section 9 and I6 mainly with the aid of improvement grants. This is in contrast to the 12 cottages demolished the sites of which, no doubt, will be quickly redeveloped. I very much doubt however whether the new structures will have the living space or life of the former buildings. The day to day work of the department includes the investigation of minor complaints which have not been resolved between landlord and tenant. Some 45 informal notices were served and during the year 18 were complied with. It was not considered necessary to serve any official notices under the Public Health Act apart from one property in Bishopsboume where enforcement action was instituted, only to be withdrawn when the tenant vacated the house and it was left empty. Improvement Areas A big step forward was taken by'Parliament when the Housing /ct 1964 included provisions for limited compulsion for the improvement of houses. Many people interested in the field of housing, including my own Association, have been pressing for the inclusion of such powers on the Statute Book for many years. I do not suppose the new Act will satisfy everyone but at least it is a step in the right direction and will give the occupants of many thousands of substandard houses the basic amenities for present day living. Briefly, the property to be improved must be tenanted and fall within an area where at least 50^’ ai*® capable of improvement at reason- able expense and will have a 15 year life. From this it will be seen that m-any individual properties will be excluded to await condemnation