housing committee : 3rd april, 1950. mrs. milner and mrs. … · 2013. 3. 6. · mrs. milner and...

1647

HOUSING COMMITTEE : 3rd April, 1950.Present: Councillors Jordan (in the Chair), Mrs. Nott Cock, Collins,

Crawforth, J.P., Cridford, Juckes, Kilburn, Luckin, MacRae, Miller, Mrs. Milner and Mrs. Potts.

PART I.—RECOMMENDATIONS.RECOMMENDATION I.—Provision of Additional Housing

Accommodation.Arising out of resolution 1570 (29/12/49), your Committee has

considered a letter, dated 3rd April, 1950, from John Laing & Sons, Ltd., offering to construct and sell to the Council eighteen semi-detached houses on land owned by the Company at Honister Gardens, Stanmore.

The Company's offer, which is conditional upon the Council agreeing to the contract being carried out in accordance with the R.I.B.A. con ditions, is as follows :—

Construction of:— . £10 semi-detached houses (with bay windows)... ... 15,4008 semi-detached houses (without bay windows) ... 11,960

£27,360Cost of land, provision of roads and sewers, and

payment of development charges ... ... ... 6,600

Total ... ... £33,960

Your Committee is of opinion that this offer should be accepted, and recommends as follows :—

Resolved to RECOMMEND :That a resolution in the following terms be passed by the Council:

(1) That, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Health, and to the Surveyor being satisfied as to detailed specifica tions, and also to the issue of consent to the borrowing of the necessary monies, the Council hereby agrees (a) to accept the offer of John Laing & Sons, Ltd., to construct, and sell to the Council, eighteen semi-detached houses, on land owned by the Company, at Honister Gardens, Stan- more, at a total cost of £33,960 (including the cost of the land, provision of roads and sewers, and payment of development charges) ; and (b) to the use of the R.I.B.A. conditions of contract for this work ;

(2) That the Clerk of the Council be hereby authorised to make application to the Ministry of Health, for consent to borrow the sum of £34,210 (including £250 for the salary of a Clerk of Works), in respect of the provision of the additional accommodation referred to in paragraph (1) of this resolution ; and to prepare and seal any necessary documents in the matter, including a mortgage deed with the Public Works Loan Board.

RECOMMENDATION II.—Elstree Hill Estate : Application for Interim Loan Sanction.

Loan sanction in respect of the construction of 180 Easiform houses at Elstree Hill Estate, amounted to £225,706 (as against the Surveyor's

IMS

estimate.of £264,256, dated 1st May, 1947), and your Committee is informed that, although constructional work has been completed, final accounts are not likely to be agreed for some time, and that it is probable that the final accounts, when agreed, will amount to approximately 28 per cent, in excess of the loan sanction figure. The position (at 31st March, 1950) with regard to capital expenditure in respect of the erection of the houses, was as follows :—

£ £Payment to Contractor ... ... ... 263,351Retention Money ... ... ... ... 3,374Clerk of Works Salary ... ... ... 931

267,656 Less capital grant from Ministry of Health 2,000

———— 265,656 Loan Sanction received ... ... ... 225,706

Excess Expenditure to 31st March, 1950 ... £39,950

Normally, as the Council is aware, when housing contracts are completed and final costs agreed, application is made for a supple mentary loan sanction in respect of any amount overspent. Your Committee is advised, however, that, in order to provide funds to deal with the overspending detailed above, it will be necessary to make application to the Ministry of Health for interim loan sanction, and that, when accounts have been finalised, a further application will, if necessary, be made for loan sanction in respect of any outstanding balance.


That the Clerk of the Council be hereby authorised (a) to make application to the Minister of Health for interim consent to borrow the sum of £40,000, in respect of overspending incurred in connection with the erection of 180 Easiform houses at the Elstree Hill Estate ; and (b) to prepare and seal any necessary documents in the matter, including a mortgage deed with the Public Works Loan Board.

RECOMMENDATION III.—Canons Park Estate : Application for Interim Loan Sanction.

•

Your Committee is informed that, although constructional work at the above-mentioned estate has been completed, final accounts have not yet been agreed with the contractor. Loan sanction for the con struction of the 214 houses involved, amounted to £292,175, and a considerable expenditure has been incurred over and above this amount, which necessitates an application to the Ministry of Health for an interim loan sanction to meet this excess expenditure.

Details of capital expenditure (at 31st March, 1950) in connection with this estate, were as follows :—

Payments to contractor:— £ £ Site ... ... ... ... ... ... 33,890Buildings ... ... ... ... ... 278,786Clerk of Works Salary ... ... ... 794

313,470

1649

Brought forwardLess Sale of Site for Sub-Station

Loan Sanction received

Excess Expenditure to 31st March, 1950

Interim Loan Sanction Required ... Your Committee recommend as follows :—

£313,470

50

£

313,420 292,175

£21,245

£21,000


That the Clerk of the Council be hereby authorised (a) to make application to the Minister of Health for interim consent to borrow the sum of £21,000, in respect of overspending incurred in connection with the erection of 214 houses at Canons Park Estate ; and (b) to prepare and seal any necessary documents in the matter, including a mortgage deed with the Public Works Loan Board.

RECOMMENDATION IV.—Land at the Junction of Kenton Road and Shrewsbury Avenue, Kenton.

With reference to Council resolution 4775 (1st July, 1949), whereby authority was given to acquire compulsorily, for housing purposes, a parcel of land (approximately 1-585 acres) at the junction of Shrewsbury Avenue and Kenton Road, your Committee is informed that the District Valuer's valuation in respect of the piece of land in question amounts to £3,480, and that this figure has been assessed in accordance with the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, taking into consideration the benefit of a certificate under Section 80 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, allowing for the erection of fourteen semi-detached houses, each built as two self-contained flats.

Application for loan sanction will now be necessary, and the following resolution is submitted.


x (1) That the Clerk of the Council be hereby instructed to make application to the Ministry of Health for consent to borrow the sum of £3,680 (£3,480 in respect of the cost of the land, and £200 for Surveyor's fees, legal costs, etc.) in connection with the acquisition by the Council, for housing purposes, of a piece of land, containing an area of 1-585 acres, situate at the junction of Shrewsbury Avenue and Kenton Road.

(2) That the Clerk of the Council be further authorised to prepare and seal any necessary documents in the matter, including a mortgage deed with the Public Works Loan Board.

RECOMMENDATION V.—External Painting of Council Houses, Pinner Hill Estate.

Your Committee has considered tenders for the external painting of 285 houses at Pinner Hill Estate, and recommends the acceptance

28th April, 1950.

Housing Committee.

of the tender of Christie (Decorators), Ltd., amounting to£3,459 19s. Od. being the lowest received.


That the Council hereby accepts the tender of Christie (Decorators), Ltd., amounting to £3,459 19s. Od. (being the lowest received) for the external painting of 285 houses at Pinner Hill Estate ; and that the Clerk of the Council be authorised to prepare and seal a contract accordingly.

RECOMMENDATION VI.—External Painting of Council Houses : North Harrow.

Your Committee has considered tenders for the external painting of fifty-three houses at the North Harrow housing estate, and recom mends the acceptance of the tender of Christie (Decorators), Ltd., amounting to £594 7s. 1., being the second lowest received.

Your Committee, having considered a report by the Surveyor with regard to the labour force available to the lowest-tenderer, is not satisfied that the work could be carried out satisfactorily in the time required, and, therefore, recommends acceptance by the Council of the second lowest tender..


That the Council hereby accepts the tender of Christie (Decora tors), Ltd., amounting to £594 7s. Id. (being the second lowest received) for the external painting of fifty-three houses at North Harrow ; and that the Clerk of the Council be authorised to prepare and seal a contract accordingly.

RECOMMENDATION VII.—External Painting of Council Houses: Rayners Lane.

Your Committee has considered tenders for the external painting of eighty-eight houses at Rayners Lane, South Harrow, and recom mends the acceptance of the tender of G. D. Morritt (Builders), Ltd.,'for £902 (being the lowest received).


That the Council hereby accepts the tender of G. D. Morritt (Builders), Ltd., amounting to £902 (being the lowest received), for the external painting of eighty-eight houses at Rayners Lane, South Harrow; and that the Clerk of the Council be authorised to prepare and seal a contract accordingly.

RECOMMENDATION VIII.—Provision of Pram Accommoda tion for First Floor Flats at Whittington Way, Pinner.

There is at present no satisfactory provision for pram storage for tenants with young children occupying first floor flats at Whittington Way, Pinner. It was anticipated that the first floor flats would be let to families with children not needing prams, but experience has proved that this will not be possible, and your Committee has been obliged to allocate the flats to families-with young children.

1651

Your Committee is advised that the only satisfactory method of whAt#u, dealing with the problem is by the provision of outside pram stores, —' and has considered a scheme whereby accommodation would be provided for the thirty-eight first floor flats involved at a total estimated cost of £870, and the following recommendation is submitted.


(1) That, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Health, and to the issue of consent to the borrowing of the neces sary monies, the Surveyor be hereby authorised to arrange for the provision, at an estimated cost of £870, of pram shelters for tenants of the thirty-eight first floor flats at Whittington Way, Pinner, in accordance with the scheme now produced, signed by the Surveyor, and dated 3rd April, 1950.

(2) That the Clerk of the Council be hereby authorised to make application to the Ministry of Health for consent to borrow the sum of £870 ; and that he be further authorised to prepare and seal any necessary documents in the matter, including a mortgage deed with • the Public Works Loan Board.

PART II.—MINUTES.1673. Minutes : RESOLVED : That the minutes of the meetings of the

Committee held on 2nd and 10th March, 1950, having been circulated, be taken as read, and signed as correct records.

1674. Arrears of Rent : RESOLVED : That the Committee receives the report of the Treasurer (now submitted) as to arrears of rent of Council houses and requisitioned properties.

1675. Land in Field End Road, South Harrow : Arising out of resolution 1339 (3rd February, 1949), the Clerk of the Council submitted, a report, dated 1st April, 1950, stating that, upon the instructions of the Chairman of the Committee, he had addressed a letter to the Town Clerk of Ealing asking for an interview between representatives of the Housing Committees of the two local authorities to discuss certain differences of opinion relating to that part of the former Northolt Park Racecourse situate within the Urban District, the whole of the land having been acquired by the Ealing Town Council, pursuant to the Ealing (Northolt Racecourse) Housing Compulsory Purchase Order, 1946. The report further stated that the Town Clerk of Ealing had intimated that the Housing Committee of the Ealing Town Council had refused to agree to such an interview.

The Clerk also submitted a letter, dated 1st April, 1950, which, upon the instructions of the Chairman of the Committee, he had addressed to the Town Clerk of Ealing, expressing surprise and regret at the decision of the Ealing Housing Committee, and making strong representations that the desired interview should take place.

RESOLVED : (1) That the report be received ; that the action of the Chairman of the Committee in instructing the Clerk of the Council to send the letter, dated 1st April, 1950, to the Town

1652

Clerk of Ealing (now submitted) be approved and confirmed ; that the Clerk be instructed again to communicate with the Town Clerk of Ealing, intimating that this Committee strongly reiterates the request already made for the granting of an interview for the discussion of this matter ; and that the following members be appointed to represent the Committee at any such interview which may be arranged ;

The Chairman of the Council, and The Chairman of the Committee.

(2) That, in the event of the Ealing Town Council refusing to accede to the request for an interview, as mentioned in paragraph (1) of this resolution, the Clerk of the Council be instructed to communi cate, in appropriate terms, with the Ministry of Health, seeking the good offices of the Ministry to facilitate an interview between representatives of the two local authorities ; and that the members of the Committee named in paragraph (1) of this resolution, with the addition of Councillor F. W. Juckes, be authorised to attend, if necessary, as a deputation to interview the appropriate officials at the Ministry of Health, and to take such further urgent action in the matter as may be necessitated by events.(3) That the necessity to convene a special meeting of this Com mittee, further to discuss the matter, be left to the discretion of the Chairman.

1676. Housing Management Sub-Committee : RESOLVED : That the report of the meeting of the Housing Management Sub-Com mittee, dated 29th March, 1950 (appearing in appendix II to this report) be received and, in so far as the same requires confirmation, and is not otherwise dealt with in this report, be confirmed.

1677. " Antoneys," Uxbridge Road, Pinner : RESOLVED : That the Committee receives the report of the meeting of the Sub-Com mittee appointed to consider this matter, dated 30th March, 1950 (printed in appendix III to this report), and in so far as the same requires confirmation and is not otherwise dealt with in this report, be confirmed.

1678. Monthly Report of Surveyor : RESOLVED : That the Com mittee receives the monthly report of the Surveyor, dated 3rd April, 1950.

1679. Edgware Golf Course Estate : Erection of 140 Dwellings :With reference to Council resolution 4950 (16th December, 1949), whereby it was agreed to accept the amended tender of Messrs. R. G. Lambert, of £191,639 17s. Od., for the erection of 140 dwellings at the above-mentioned estate, the Surveyor submitted a letter, dated 18th March, 1950, from Messrs. R. G. Lambert (a) stating that negotiations for the necessary bond had been completed, and that the company would be in a position to commence work imme diately after signing a contract ; (b) enquiring whether the Council would agree to amend clause 54 of the general conditions of contract, to provide for the completion date of any houses or blocks of houses taken over by the Council to be the date of handing over, in so far as the maintenance and retention clauses apply ; ai\d (c) asking

1653

for an assurance that clauses 50 and 51 of the conditions of contract do not include faults or damage resulting from the occupation of the dwellings by tenants.

The Surveyor also reported that contract documents in respect of this scheme were forwarded to the Company in December, 1949, and that the queries referred to above had arisen only after pro tracted negotiations in respect of the bond had been completed.

RESOLVED : (1) That Messrs. R. G. Lambert be allowed a period of fourteen days in which to execute the contract for the erection of 140 dwellings at Edgware Golf Course Estate, failing which, the Clerk of the Council be instructed to withdraw the Council's acceptance of Messrs. Lambert's tender, and to arrange for tenders for the work to be again invited.(2) That the Clerk of the Council be further instructed to inform Messrs. R. G. Lambert, (a) that, subject to the execution of a contract, and to satisfactory progress and workmanship, the Com mittee will be prepared to consider a further application for an amendment of clause 54 of the conditions of contract ; and (b) that it is not the practice of the Council to regard faults or damage caused by tenants as part of the contractor's liability in respect of contract maintenance.

1680. The Grove Estate, Pinner : Felling of Trees : With reference to resolution 1627 (2nd March, 1950), whereby the Surveyor was instructed to report with regard to the felling of trees at the above- mentioned estate, the Surveyor reported that it was originally anticipated that it would be necessary to remove 113 trees on the estate, but that, during the course of the work, it became necessary to remove a total of 284 trees ; that the reasons for removing the trees were their proximity to buildings or drains ; diseased condition ; or that they constituted a danger ; and that every effort had be en made to preserve as many trees as possible.

RESOLVED : That the report be received ; and that further consideration be given, in due course, to the question of planting trees in replacement.

1681. Temporary Office Buildings at Rayners Lane, South Harrow : With reference to resolution 1614 (26th January, 1950), the Surveyor (a).reported that Ministry of Works temporary office buildings at this site occupy a total of 8-3 acres of land, which forms part of the Council's housing estate at Rayners Lane (at present held under requisition by the Ministry of Works), and that it was intended that the same would ultimately be developed by the erection ofc 40 permanent dwellings on 3-3 acres, leaving five acres for open spaces purposes ; that, in response to the Council's repre sentations for the release of the land, the Ministry of Health had intimated that the same would probably be vacated in August, 1950, but that, whilst the temporary office buildings on the 3-3 acres could be demolished (subject, of course, to the approval of the Local Planning Authority to the proposed erection of the 40 permanent dwellings), the Council should consider the temporary use of the office buildings on the remaining five acres, as " half-way house " standard accommodation ; and (b) submitted a scheme for the provision of fifty-seven units of living accommodation on the

1651

2ath April, " half-way house " principle of shared kitchen and sanitary facilities,„ at an estimated cost of approximately £207 per unit.

Committed ^ne Surveyor also reported that he had discussed the scheme with the Medical Officer of Health, who (in a memorandum dated 3rd April, 1950), had expressed dissatisfaction with the scheme, and had outlined various suggested alterations.

RESOLVED : That the Surveyor be instructed to ascertain the views of the Ministry of Health upon the suggestions contained in the memorandum, dated 3rd April, 1950, of the Medical Officer of Health, for the improvement of sub-standard accommodation proposed to be provided at Rayners Lane, South Harrow ; and to report further in due course, with an estimate of the cost of incor porating such suggestions in the conversion scheme now submitted.

1682. Festival of Britain, 1951 : Local Celebrations : With reference to resolution 1608 (26th January, 1950), the Surveyor reported that several housing schemes would be completed in time for the Festival of Britain Celebrations in 1951, and suggested that official opening ceremonies would form an appropriate part of the Committee's activies in connection with this matter.

RESOLVED : That the report be received ; that the Festival of Britain Sub-Committee be informed accordingly ; and that the Festival of Britain Sub-Committee be asked to give an indication of its views upon the suggestion that this Committee should make special arrangements for the erection of suitable signs at the en trances to its various estates.

1683. Eastcote Lane Housing Estate : Contract for the Provision of Fencing r.With reference xto resolution 1348 (3rd March, 1949), whereby the Committee accepted the tender of Southerns (Southall), Ltd., amounting to £3,162 5s. Od., for the provision of chestnut pale fencing at Eastcote Lane housing estate, the Surveyor reported that, included in the contract, was a provisional sum of £1,600 for the supply and fixing of 180 gates and fastenings, which were cdn- sidered to be necessary for the renewal of fences on rear access passage-ways ; that, subsequently, it was found that, to complete the rear passage-way fencing, it would be necessary to remove numerous sheds, chicken runs, etc. ; and that, in view of the difficulty of doing this, it was decided to leave the same undisturbed, which resulted in a saving of fifty gates, stops and fastenings, to the value

' of £95.RESOLVED : That the report be received; that the Com

mittee hereby agrees to the gates and fastenings referred to above, being reserved for use on other housing estates ; and that the cost thereof be charged to the Eastcote Lane scheme, pending their use elsewhere.

1684. Building Licences : The Surveyor submitted (a) a statement of the number of building licences issued during the month of February, 1950 (appearing in appendix I to this report) ; (b) a state ment of building licences issued during the same month of £500 and over ; and (c) details of building licences issued for new dwellings during the period.

RESOLVED : That the statements be received.

2&th April, 1950.

Housing Committee.

1655

1685. Housing Progress Report : The Surveyor submitted a report with regard to works being carried out at the following sites during the month of February, 1950 :—

Elstree Hill Camrose Avenue Weald Lane Whittington Way Dennis Lane Honeypot Lane Edgware Golf Course Alexandra Avenue The Grove.

RESOLVED : That the report be received.

1686. Public Relations Housing Progress : The Surveyor submitted a report upon the progress in the erection of Council houses and other works during the month of February, 1950.

RESOLVED : That the report be received, and forwarded to the Public Relations Committee for inclusion in the next issue of the Harrow civic bulletin.

1687. Revised Procedure for Submission of Housing Proposals to the Ministry of Health : RESOLVED : That the Committee receives Ministry of Health circular 24/50 (10th February, 1950) in this matter.

1688. Visiting of Council Housing Estates : With reference to resolution 1586 (29th December, 1949),

RESOLVED : That further consideration of this matter be deferred until the next meeting.

1689. Ministry of Health Circular, 90/49 : RESOLVED : That further consideration of the above-mentioned circular (relating inter alia, to section 20 of the Housing Act, 1949, as to the making of grants to private owners for the provision of dwellings by the conversion of houses and other buildings, and for the improvement of existing dwellings) be deferred for a period of six months.

1690. Loan Sanctions : RESOLVED : That the Committee receives the report of the Clerk of the Council with regard to the receipt of the under-mentioned loan sanctions :—

Date of Sanction A mount Nature of Expenditure 4th February, 1950 £1,017 Purchase of land, West End Lane. 27th January, 1950 £264,214 Erection of 180 flats at the Grove

Estate, Pinner.i

1691. Defence Regulation 56A : 8, The Hill, Stanmore : The Not forClerk of the Council reported that work to the value of £1,303 had Publica- been carried out at the above-mentioned premises, whereas licences tion issued by the Ministry of Works amounted to only £914 ; and that excess work to the value of £177 19s. 2d. had been carried out by Denys Williams & Co., Ltd., and the remainder (£212 in value) had been carried out by Messrs. Towns-Wadey & Sons.

RESOLVED : That the report be received; and that, subject to his being satisfied that a prima facie case exists, the Clerk of the Council be hereby authorised to institute legal poceediings.

1656

1692. Housing Act, 1936 : Section 12 : Closing Order : 866a, Kenton Lane : With reference to resolution 2480 (28th February, 1950), of the Public Health Committee,

RESOLVED : That the Committee hereby agrees to rehouse the tenant of the above-mentioned premises, as and when suitable alternative accommodation becomes available.

1693. Suggested Acquisition of Land outside the District for Housing Purposes : RESOLVED : That the Clerk of the Council (in conjunction with the Treasurer and Surveyor) be instructed to report to the next meeting as to the possibility and advisability of the Council acquiring land outside the District for housing purposes.

1694. Surveyor's Department : Appointment of Senior Engineer ing Assistant : The Clerk of the Council reported that the Appoint ments Sub-Committee of the Establishment Committee, at its meeting on 31st March, 1950, had interviewed applicants for the post of senior engineering assistant in the Surveyor's Department (which is a key post in respect of which the Establishment Committee is hopeful that housing accommodation will be eventually made available) ; and that the Sub-Committee was anxious to appoint Mr. F. Fowler (senior engineering assistant, Warwickshire County Council) to this post, and had asked the Committee to consider the possibility of granting temporary accommodation to Mr. Fowler until houses for key personnel are available.

RESOLVED : That the report be received; and that, subject to the approval of the Open Spaces Committee, the Com mittee hereby agrees to offer Mr. Fowler a tenancy of a ground floor flat at Belmont Lodge, Harrow Weald.

1695. Woodlands Housing Estate, Harrow Weald : Arising out of resolution 894 (29th March, 1950) of the Housing Management Sub-Committee, the Chairman of the Council reported that he had visited accommodation on the ground floor of requisitioned premises at the Old Vicarage, Harrow Weald (which is unsuitable for human habitation) ; and that the same would be suitable for the purposes suggested by the Woodlands Residents' Association.

RESOLVED : That the report be received ; and that the Committee hereby agrees to allow the Woodlands Residents' Association to use accommodation on the ground floor of the Old Vicarage, Harrow Weald, in connection with the activities of the Association, subject to the Association entering into an agreement, to be prepared by the Clerk of the Council, and to payment of a rental of 5s. per week, and to the approval of the Ministry of Health.

1696. Vacant Land at Binyon Crescent : Woodlands Estate, Harrow Weald : Arising out of resolution 893 (2) (29th March, 1950) of the Housing Management Sub-Committee, whereby the Chairman of the Council and the Chairman of the Sub-Committee were asked to inspect the piece of land in question ; the Chairman of the Council reported upon an inspection which he had carried out at the site. The Surveyor also reported that a scheme was in preparation for the development of the piece of land in question.

1657

RESOLVED : That the reports be received ; and that the ^m April,Surveyor be instructed to report, in due course, with further 1 5̂0;particulars of the scheme for the development of this site. Housing

r Committee.

1697. Whiteways, Brookshill, Harrow Weald : RESOLVED : That the Housing Officer be instructed to report to the next meeting with particulars of licensees at the above-mentioned premises.

1698. Land in Kings Road, South Harrow : Suggested Site for Church : In accordance with resolution 1631 (2nd March, 1950), the Surveyor reported that the above-mentioned site is at present leased to the Eastcote Lane Council Estate Social Centre, for a period of three years, expiring on 1st December, 1950 ; that the Social Centre had erected two huts on a portion of the site, which had been fenced off, and that the remaining portion was at present vacant. The Surveyor further reported that, for various technical reasons, the site could not1 be recommended as being suitable for housing purposes.

RESOLVED : That, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Health, and on the understanding that the site occupied by the Eastcote Lane Council Estate Social Centre will not be encroached upon, the Committee hereby agrees, in principle, to the transfer to the London Diocesan Authorities of the parcel of land (approxi mately 0-15 acres in extent) shown upon the plan now produced, signed by the Surveyor, and dated 3rd April, 1950, for the purpose of erecting a church thereon ; and that the Clerk of the Council be instructed to report further with regard to the legal aspect of this matter.

1699. Building Programme : Standard of Accommodation, etc. :With reference to resolutions 1646 and 1651 (10th March, 1950), whereby the Surveyor was instructed to report (a) upon the Council's building programme, with special reference to the provision of the several types of dwellings in relation to the number of applicants in the various family groups, and bearing in mind the suggestions contained in the report of the Medical Officer of Health, dated 28th February, 1950, to the Public Health Committee ; and (b) upon the probable effect which the adoption of the Medical Officer's suggestions would have upon the present scheme for the allocation of housing accommodation, the Surveyor submitted a report, dated 3rd April, 1950, in regard to these matters.

RESOLVED : That the report be received ; that considera tion thereof be deferred until the next meeting ; and that, in the meantime, the Housing Officer be authorised to continue to deal with the letting of accommodation on the lines approved by resolu tion 1672 (10th March, 1950).

1700. Thanks to Chairman : RESOLVED : That the Committee ' places on record its appreciation of the able manner in which the Chairman of the Committee (Councillor Jordan) has conducted the business of the Committee during the present Council year.

(Signed) CHAS. E. JORDAN,Chairman.

APP

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APPENDIX II.HOUSING MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE : 29th March, 1950.

Committee.Present : Councillors Luckin (in the Chair), Briggs, Mrs. Nott Cock, —:

Crawforth, J.P., Juckes, Mrs. MilneJr and Mrs. Potts. M^n^Smt+ Sub-Committee.

PART I.—RECOMMENDATIONS.—NIL.

PART II.—MINUTES.874. Minutes : Resolved : That the minutes of the meeting of the Sub-

Committee held on 18th January, 1950, having been circulated be taken as read and signed as a true record.

875. Surveyor's Department : Staff : Appointment of Chief Architectural Assistant (New Works) : The Clerk of the Council reported that at its meeting on 28th March, 1950, the Appointments Sub-Committee of the Establishment Committee had interviewed the only applicant for the post of Chief Architectural Assistant (New Works) in the Surveyor's Department. This is a " key " post for which the Establishment Committee is hopeful that housing accommodation will eventually be made available. The Clerk reported (a) that the Appointments Sub- Committee was anxious to appoint this applicant, because much archi tectural work in the Surveyor's Department is being retarded until the post is filled ; (b) that the applicant at present resides in a Council house at Luton, which would have to be vacated immediately upon his resigning his present appointment with the Luton Town Council ; and (c) that the Appointments Sub-Committee had requested that con sideration should be given to the possibility of granting this applicant a temporary tenancy of a Council house, until one of the houses proposed to be made available for key personnel has been erected.

Resolved :That the Sub-Committee hereby agrees to offer a tenancy of a Council

house to Mr. J. W. Murphy (Senior Architectural Assistant, Borough of Luton), upon his acceptance of the post of Chief Architectural Assistant (New Works) in the Surveyor's Department, subject to his entering into an agreement to be prepared by the Clerk of the Council, containing an undertaking on his part to vacate the same as and when an alternative house is provided by the Council, or if and when he is no longer in the service of the Council.

876. Surveyor's Department : Appointment of Assistant Surveyor : TheClerk of the Council reported that the Appointments Sub-Committee of the Establishment Committee had, at its meeting on 28th March, 1950, recommended the appointment of Mr. A. S. Graves (Chief Assistant, Town Planning and Building Inspection Department, Wallasey County Borough Council) to the post of Assistant Surveyor in the Surveyor's Department. The Surveyor reported that this post is one of the " key " posts, in respect of which it is hoped that housing accommodation will eventually be made available ; and that, in view of the great difficulty in finding housing accommodation in the District, Mr. Graves had requested assistance from the Council in providing temporary accom modation, until one of the proposed houses for key personnel is erected.

Resolved :That the reports be received ; and that the Housing Officer be instructed

to offer to Mr. A. S. Graves suitable temporary accommodation in requisitioned property.

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April, 877. Rent Arrears Sub-Committee : Resolved • That the report of the,1950. Rent Arrears Sub-Committee, dated 15th March, 1950, be received

Housing and, in so far as the same requires confirmation and is not otherwiseCommittee, dealt with in this report, be hereby corffirmed.

Housing^*m Changes of Tenancy and New Tenancies of Council Houses and Re

quisitioned Properties : Resolved : That the Sub-Committee receives the report of the Housing Officer, dated 29th March, 1950.

879. Application for Transfer of Tenancy : Resolved : That the application of the under-mentioned cases (Nos. 219 and 220) to take over tenancy of the Council houses stated, be hereby granted :—

Case No. Property219 7, Lascelles Avenue, Harrow.220 38, Station Road, Harrow. •

880. Applications for Transfer of Council Houses : Resolved : (a) That the applications of the tenants of the under-mentioned Council houses to transfer to other houses be granted, when suitable properties become available :—

24, Bransgrove Road, Edgware. * 9, Bransgrove Road, Edgware. 55, The Crossway, Wealdstone. 63, Whitchurch Avenue, Edgware.

(b) That no action be taken upon the applications for transfer, by the tenants of the under-mentioned Council houses :—

95, Elmgrove Crescent, Harrow. 1, Charlbury Avenue, Stanmore. 9, Thackeray Drive, South Harrow.

881. Applications for Permission to Erect Sheds, Greenhouse, etc. : Resolved : That, subject to the approval of the Surveyor as to siting, size, etc., permission be hereby granted to the tenants of the under-mentioned Council houses to erect garden sheds, greenhouse, etc. :—

14, Whitchurch Avenue, Edgware .... ... ... Garden Shed.43, Whittington Way, Pinner ... ... ... ,,121, Sefton Avenue, Harrow Weald ... ... ... ,,8, Bridges Road, Stanmore ...89, Sef ton Avenue, Harrow Weald ... ... ... ,,3, Sullivan Way ... ... ... ... ... Greenhouse.

882. Applications for Permission to Erect a Garage : Resolved : That permission be hereby granted to the tenant of 49, Chandos Crescent, Edgware, to erect a garage thereat; and that the application of the tenant of 3, Stiven Crescent, South Harrow, to erect a garage, be not granted.

883. Applications for Permission to Instal Telephones : Resolved : That consent be hereby granted for the installation of telephones at the under-mentioned Council houses :

61, Woodlands Drive, Stanmore. 66, Woodlands Drive, Stanmore. 25, Flecker Close, Stanmore.

884. Applications for Permission to Take in a Lodger : Resolved : That the applications of the tenants of the under-mentioned Council houses to take in a lodger be hereby granted :—

1', Schubert Road, Elstree. 38, Lascelles Avenue, Harrow.

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885. Application for Permission to Erect a Television Aerial: Resolved : That consent be hereby granted for the erection of a television aerial at the under-mentioned Council house :—

25, Scott Crescent, South Harrow.

886. Applications for Housing Accommodation from Occupants of a Council House : The Housing Officer reported upon the circumstances relating to applications numbered C.264 and F.266. The Sub-Committee was informed that the two applicants concerned are brothers, who are at present living in overcrowded conditions in one of the Council's three- bedroom non-parlour type houses in the South Harrow area ; and that, although applicant C.264 is in a more favourable position under the Council's points allocation scheme, applicant F.266 has, for several reasons, a stronger claim to be housed by the Council.

Resolved :That the report be received ; and that the Housing Officer be authorised

to offer accommodation to applicant F.266.

887. Housing Applications : Suggested Exchange of Priorities between Applicants : The Housing Officer reported that two of the Council's housing applicants (one of whom has favourable housing prospects), had made application to exchange their positions on the waiting list.

Resolved : That the report be received, but that no action be taken in the matter.

888. Housing Applications Involving Health Considerations : Resolved : That the Committee receives the report of the Housing Officer upon the circumstances relating to application C.6916 ; and that, subject to the Medical Officer of Health agreeing to deduct this application from his quota of houses to be allocated to families in which health considerations are involved, the Housing Officer be authorised to offer suitable accommodation to this applicant.

889. Housing Applications from Time Serving Members of H.M. Forces :Resolved : (1) That the Committee receives, but takes no action, upon an application by Mr. R. Pain (a time serving member of the Royal Air Force) to be placed on the Council's housing waiting list.(2) That the application (now submitted) by Cpl. J. L. Robertson to be placed upon the Council's housing waiting list, be hereby granted ; and(3)'That the Housing Officer be authorised to offer suitable housing accommodation to applicant F.2374.

890. Housing Act, 1936, Section 11 : Demolition of Insanitary Houses :With reference to resolution 1639 (2nd March, 1950), of the Housing Committee, the Housing Officer submitted details as to the families in Canning Road and Shelley Road, Wealdstone, who will be affected by the demolition orders approved by the Public Health Committee on 24th January, 1950.

Resolved :That the matter be referred to the Special Sub-Sub-Committee for

consideration and report.

891. Repairs and Maintenance of Council Houses and Requisitioned Premises :Resolved : That the Sub-Committee receives the report of the Surveyor, dated 29th March, 1950, in regard to the repair and maintenance of Council houses and requisitioned properties.

28th April. 1950.

Housing Committee.„—r

Housing Management

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im April, 892. Defence Regulation 68CB : 15, St. Kildas Road, Harrow : The Clerk 195°- of the Council (a] reported that, in April, 1948, the tenant of the above-

Housing mentioned premises had made application for two rooms thereat to beCommittee. registered under Defence Regulation 68CB, for the purpose of sub-

Housing letting the same to a Mr. Watsham and family, who were then on theManagement Council's housing waiting list ; and that the tenant now wished to wt-^ommwec ,,i • i , , i •> i •> •,••,. ,,vacate the premises, but the owners had declined to accept her notice

unless she gives full vacant possession ; and (b) submitted a letter, dated 23rd February, 1950, from the owners stating that their tenant alone could take action to secure the removal of Mr. Watsham, but that her solicitor required a deposit before taking the matter to court; that this imposed great hardship upon her ; and that as the Council originally installed Mr. Watsham, alternative accommodation should be provided for him by the Council.

Resolved :That the report and letter be received, but that no action be taken

in the matter.

893. Vacant Land : Woodlands Estate, Harrow Weald : Resolved : (1) That the Committee receives (a) a letter, dated 24th February, 1950, from the Woodlands Residents' Association in regard to alleged nuisance and bad behaviour by individuals congregating on a piece of waste ground at Binyon Crescent ; and (b) a letter, dated 25th March, 1950, from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, intimating that only one complaint in regard to this matter had been received by the Police ; that this had been investigated and dealt with ; and that arrangements had been made to keep the matter under observation.(2) That the Chairman of the Sub-Committee and the Chairman of the Council be asked to inspect the piece of land in question ; and that the Surveyor be instructed to report to the next meeting with suggestions for the possible use thereof.

894. Woodlands Housing Estate, Harrow Weald : The Housing Officer reported that the Woodlands Residents' Association had enquired as to the possibility of obtaining accommodation for activities connected with the Association.

Resolved :That the Chairman of the Sub-Committee and the Chairman of the

Council be asked to inspect accommodation on the ground floor at the Old Vicarage, Harrow Weald, to ascertain whether it would be suitable for the purpose suggested by the Woodlands Residents' Association.

895. 11, Haig Road : Replacement of Glass : With reference to resolution 815 (12th October, 1949),

Resolved :That the Sub-Committee receives the report of the Clerk of the Council

that an order for payment of 4s. 6d. and costs amounting to 7s. Od. was made by the Watford County Court on 25th January, 1950.

896. Applications for Release of Requisitioned Premises to Owners:Resolved : That the following action be taken upon the applications of owners for release of requisitioned properties :—

Property A ction218, Malvern Avenue, South Application granted as and when

Harrow suitable alternative accom modation can be offered to the present licensee.

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Property70, College Road, Harrow : 1st,

2nd and 3rd floor and yard at rear of shop

16, Green Verges, Marsh Lane, Stanmore

la, Woodlands Road

75, Grant Road, Wealdstone ...

A ctionNo action.

No action.

Consideration deferred to the next meeting.

Release. The owner to be in formed that if the premises are not occupied within a reasonable period, the same will be re-requisitoned.

897. Requisitioned Premises : Ground Floor 33, Vancouver Road : Arising out of resolution 1649 (10th March, 1950), of the Housing Committee, the Clerk of the Council submitted a letter, dated 17th March, 1950, from the licensee of the premises, requesting permission for two unauthorised occupants to be allowed to continue to reside thereat, in view of the fact that her husband was no longer living at the premises.

Resolved : That further consideration be given to this matter at the next meeting.

898. Housing Applications : Evicted Cases : The Housing Officer reported upon the circumstances in which applicants F.2820 and C.6222 were evicted from accommodation at Honeypot Lane, Stanmore. The Sub-Committee was informed that one of these families had accepted temporary accommodation offered by the Middlesex County Council, but that the other had refused a similar offer.

Resolved :That the report be received ; and that when offering accommodation

the Housing Officer be authorised to give priority to the applicant now residing in the temporary accommodation offered by the Middlesex County Council.

899. Housing Application Involving Overcrowded Conditions : Resolved : That consideration of the circumstances relating to Case No. 221 be deferred to the next meeting, for a further report by the Housing Officer; and that the Housing Officer be authorised to rehouse applicant No. C.6660 in a two-bedroomed flat.

28!h April 1950.

Housing Committee.

HousingManagement

Sub-Committee

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28th April, APPENDIX III.1950.

cSSl SPECIAL SUB-COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO REPORT 30th March, 1950.— UPON MATTERS RELATING TO "ANTONEYS,"

special UXBRIDGE ROAD, PINNER.Sub-Co i, :»<itteeon "Antoneys" Present : Councillors Jordan (in the Chair), Mrs. Nott Cock, Collins,

Kilburn and Mrs. Potts.

PART I.—RECOMMENDATIONS.—NIL.

PART II.—MINUTES.1. Election of Chairman : Resolved : That Councillor Jordan be elected

Chairman of the Sub-Committee.

2. Proposed Hostel : Antoneys, Uxbridge Road, Pinner : Management and Control : With reference to Committee resolution 1595 (26th January, 1950), whereby it was agreed, in principle, (a) that this property should be used to provide accommodation for aged persons ; and that the formation of a housing association would be an appropriate method of dealing with the matter ; and (b) that this Sub-Committee should investigate and report upon the possibility of promoting such an association, or to submit alternative suggestions if the possibility of promoting a housing association appears to be impracticable, the Sub- Committee considered reports by the appropriate officers of the Council upon the legal, financial and practical aspects involved in this matter. The Sub-Committee was informed that the following appear to be the three main alternative methods of administering the proposed hostel ;

(i) that it should be dealt with by promoting a Housing Associa tion, or alternatively, approaching an existing housing association to take over the running of the hostel;

(ii) that the Council should itself deal with the matter ; or(iii) that the Middlesex County Council should be asked to take

over the hostel to run it as a County Welfare Institution,and in order to examine further, the possibility of submitting a recom mendation that the Committee should proceed along the lines set out in alternative (ii) above, the Sub-Committee

Resolved :(1) That the Clerk of the Council be instructed (a) to communicate

with suitable local organisations, churches, associations and in dividuals in the District, with a view to preparing a list of old people, who desire to avail themselves of the hostel accommodation, which it is proposed to provide at " Antoneys " ; and (b) to make further enquiries as to the attitude which would be adopted by the Middlesex County Council (as the County welfare authority) towards the question of nominating residents (in respect of whom the Middlesex County Council would accept responsibility) in the event of the District Council promoting a housing association to deal with matters of management and control.

(2) That the Treasurer be instructed to report at the next meeting upon the financial aspects of alternative (ii) above in the light of the information to be obtained by the Clerk of the Council.

(3) That the next meeting of the Sub-Committee be held at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, 4th May, 1950.

housing committee : 3rd april, 1950. mrs. milner and mrs. … · 2013. 3. 6. · mrs. milner and...

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