[Report 1958] / Medical Officer of Health, Kingsbridge R.D.C.

  • Kingsbridge (Devon, England). Rural District Council. no2011196201.
Date:
1958
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1958] / Medical Officer of Health, Kingsbridge R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Arrangements are being made to have various sewage tanks on housing sites emptied by a private firm on a contract basis. I believe this will prove a more satisfactory arrangement, and will also provide a greater measure of control over the disposal of such material, which in the past has on occasion given rise to nuisances. PUBLIC CONVENIENCES. The conveniences at East Portlemouth have not yet been started, but it is hoped that they will be completed for the 1959 holiday season. It appears that it may be necessary at some future date to build a second convenience in this area at Mill Bay. A further convenience at Thurlestone is also under consideration. There is need for a convenience at Strete Gate, but at present there is no water available for it. There is a possibility that a public convenience will be required at Bantham some time in the future. HOUSING. Very little progress has been made with slum clearance during the year. It was hoped that when Mr. Nichols was appointed as Addi- tional Public Health Inspector a survey would be made of the housing throughout the district. A start was made but due to the pressure of other work, in particular that of meat inspection, it has not been possible to make as much progress as desired. It is important that any survey should be completed in as short a time as possible in order to obtain an accurate picture of the housing problem. It has been interesting to note that in Loddiswell, a parish that has been surveyed, 14 per cent, of the houses inspected are considered suitable for demolition or clearance and that 53 per cent, are dwellings lacking in modern facilities and capable of im- provement. It is distressing to note that at this time approxi- mately 50 per cent, of the houses are without a hot water supply, a fixed bath, internal sanitary accommodation, or proper food storage. A great deal of improvement has been made in recent years in connection with water supply and only a small percentage of properties are without an internal supply. It should be noted that in calculating these figures, Council house properties have been omitted. The Council continue to make Improvement Grants under the provisions of the Housing Act, 1949. Twenty-four applications were approved during the year and grants totalling £5,551 were made. The continuation by the Council of making Improvement Grants for the improvement by owners of their properties should, in view of the information obtained by the survey, act as a good incentive for modernising such dwellings, and it should be inter- esting to note if and when Standard Improvement Grants are to be made available, whether such applications will be substantially increased.