[Report 1925] / Medical Officer of Health, Scunthorpe Borough.

  • Scunthorpe (England). Borough Council.
Date:
1925
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1925] / Medical Officer of Health, Scunthorpe Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    77/92 (page 71)
    TENTS, VANS and SHEDS. There has been a considerable increase in the use of vans as dwellings, lowing to Ithe shortage of houses. In a census of these taken recently it was found that there were 47 in the District, in addition to the 42 Huts (used as temporary dwellings) in Brigg Road. There are no Bye.laws with respect to these structures, but it is proposed to submit draft Bye-laws with regard to these in the near future. CLOSET ACCOMMODATION. At the end of 1925, 2,503 dwellings still suffer the existence of pail closets. .This represents 40 per cent of all the dwellings in the District. At the end of 1920, the number of houses with pai] closets was 3,510, or 69 per cent. In 1920, a scheme to convert the whole of the area to water carriage at a .cost of £50,000 (if converted under Sections 39 to 41 of the 1907 Public Health Act) was placed before the Council. At that time it was considered that the cost should not fall entirely on the ratepayers, but that the property owners should pay their share. A. deputation was sent to the Ministry of Health, who advised. the promotion of a private bill, but in the mean¬ time to proceed under the 1875 and 1907 Acts. The Council agreed to pay half the cost to. any owner who converted at his own (wish. In 1920 the conversion of pail closets to water closets number 14. In 1921, 38 pail closets were converted to water closets, 34 of which Were converted under the assisted scheme adopted by the Council. In May, 1922, tjhe Council discontinued this scheme, but wisely recommenced it in November of the same year. The total conversions for 1922 number 53. 1923 saw considerable progress made in the conver¬ sion of pail closets. (The Department endeavoured to refstrict the Conversion Scheme to one area and convert whole streets at one time. Many difficulties had to! be overcome with owners, and it was not found possible to persuade some to carry out this work1. Applications from other ratepayers in the areas of the town were taken! in rotation. The conversions during 1923 numbered 383, at a cost to the Council of £842. This assisted scheme was continued during 1924, a further 294 pail closets being converted to water closets. The conversions (were carried out by direct labour, the administration of the work, buyirig of materials, etc., being In the hands of the Chief Sanitary Inspector. It was not found possible to promote a Private Bill. It was first of all postponed in order to get suggestions or requirements of other Departments, and in 1925 it