OPEN SPACES 250 (c) Precleansing To resite footbaths followed by a shower tunnel. Facilities (d) Learners Pool To increase the length of pool from 40 ft. to 55 ft. and raise level of water rather than provide a trench on either side for the instructors. (e) Filtration Plant Filtration plant for the outdoor bath to be included in the main plant room for the covered bath. (f) Open Air Pool Improvements to the surrounds of the outdoor pool and to the water circulation plant. (g) Car Park To construct car park in two parts. The Borough Architect reported that the total additional cost for the above- mentioned items would be approximately £40,000, however, the cost plan for the building indicated that savings may be made on other items. (B) Floodlighting and Signs: RESOLVED: That no floodlighting be provided and that signs should refer to " Men " and " Women ". (Q Materials and Finishes: RESOLVED: That the report of the Borough Architect upon the proposed materials and finishes to be used in the construc­ tion of the bath be received and that he be asked to display at the meeting of the Open Spaces Committee on 7th July, 1964, a sample of the plastic moulded seat recommended for use. (D) Running Costs: RESOLVED: That details of the annual deficiency at the Southampton (£57,000) and Cardiff (£100,000) Baths be noted. (E) Temporary Changing Accommodation: RESOLVED: That, to assist the Contractors when work on the main building is in progress, temporary dressing accommodation be provided for the outdoor pool to replace approximately 50 existing cubicles to be disturbed during the 1965 Summer Season. The Sub-Committee congratulated Mr. Weitzel upon his excellent presentation of the Borough Architect's Report. (The meeting ended at 8.12 p.m.) (Signed) W. A. TACKLEY, Chairman. HOUSING COMMITTEE: 14th July, 1964. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Alderman MacRae, J.P.); Councillor Buckle (in the Chair); Alderman Mrs. Potts, M.B.E.; Councillors Adkins, Mrs. Carey, Clack, Mrs. Davies, Mrs. Edwards, Ellement, Harkett, Harris, Lovell, B.E.M., Sellers, Williams and Wilmott. PART I.—RECOMMENDATIONS. RECOMMENDATION I: Discretionary Improvement Grants. Pursuant to Sites and Building Sub-Committee recommendation I (22nd June, 1964) (printed as appendix I to this report), Resolved to RECOMMEND: That the Council approve applications 181/1072 (revised) and 185/419, as detailed in the schedule to the report of the Sites and Building Sub- Committee (22nd June, 1964). 251 HOUSING RECOMMENDATION II: Elstree Hill Estate: Vacant Back Land at Northern End of Sullivan Way. Resolved to RECOMMEND: That the Council approve recomendation 2 of the Sites and Building Sub- Committee (22nd June, 1964) to incorporate this back land into the rear gardens of adjacent Council houses, and agree that expenditure, not exceeding £140, upon the provision and erection of the requisite dividing fencing, be regarded as a revenue contribution to capital. RECOMMENDATION III: New Policy Concerning Applications for Inclusion in the General Housing Waiting List. Pursuant to Housing Management Sub-Committee recommendation 2 (2nd July, 1964) and Housing Management Special Sub-Committee recommendation 3 (29th May, 1964), Resolved to RECOMMEND: That paragraph (1) (a) of Council resolution 1661 (VII) (24th April, 1959) be hereby amended to read: — " That normally no application (to the General Housing Waiting List) be considered where the joint income of husband and wife exceeds £1,200 (instead of £1,000) per annum. RECOMMENDATION IV: Land at South-east Corner of Kenton Lane and Vernon Drive (Mountside): Proposed Site for Electricity Sub-Station. Under the terms of the 99-year Lease of this 0-92 of an acre site, granted to them by the former Urban District Council on 6th November, 1953, for use originally as a site for a new Fire Station and now for the erection of an old persons' home, Middlesex County Council seek permission to sub-lease to Eastern Electricity Board, for 42 years at an annual exclusive rent of £15, about 30 square yards at the rear for the erection of a sub-station. They also seek permission to grant the Board right of access from Mountside to the said site and a right to lay pipes, conduits and cables through land between the site and Kenton Lane; and request the Borough Council's consent to waive Clause 9 of the Lease (as to insurance cover for the sub-station), which it is the County Council's practice to require the Board to effect. Your Committee raise no objection to the County Council's proposal. Resolved to RECOMMEND: That the Council grant permission to Middlesex County Council to sub­ lease to the Eastern Electricity Board, as an electricity sub-station site, 30 square yards (or thereabouts) of the 0-92 of an acre site at the south-east corner of Kenton Lane and Vernon Drive (Mountside), leased to the County Council by the former Harrow Urban District Council; and to grant the Board rights of access over, and an easement to lay cables, etc., through, the land to the sub-station site, as shown on the plan attached to, and upon the terms and conditions stipulated in, the County Clerk's letter of 19th June, 1964. RECOMMENDATION V: Re-letting of Dwellings Purchased in Advance of Highway Improvement: 6, Elm Park, Stanmore. This is one of the dwellings purchased on the recommendation of the High­ ways and Cleansing Committee for the Stanmore By-pass project, which your Committee have been asked to manage for three years in the first instance and which the Council have agreed shall be re-let temporarily through agents on HOUSING 252 the open market at an economic rent. Owing to its poor internal decorative condition, etc., only one offer, some­ what below the open market value usually expected for sound houses of this type in this locality, has been received in the sum of £4 weekly exclusive, the prospective tenant agreeing to undertake all necessary internal repairs and decorations. As it is estimated it would cost the Council about £560 to put the house into reasonable order for letting to a family from the waiting list and it is likely that such a family could not be expected to pay a rent likely to match the offer, your Committee consider that the most economical course to follow would be to accept the offer for a period of two years in the first instance and to continue the tenancy for such period as the house may remain available there­ after at an exclusive weekly rent of £5. Resolved to RECOMMEND: That the Council accept the offer to rent 6, Elm Park, Stanmore, at £4 per week exclusive, subject to the ingoing tenant carrying out necessary internal repairs and decorations; that if such tenancy is required to be extended beyond an initial period of two years the rent shall automatically be in­ creased to £5 weekly, exclusive. RECOMMENDATION VI: 94-110 (even, inclusive), Greenford Road, Sud- bury Hill: Possible Housing Site after Re-location of Industry: 96, Greenford Road. The Council will recall that it was at the request of the Planning Committee, following proposals made by the County Planning Committee, that your Com­ mittee, on 20th December, 1962 (resolution 2453), agreed, in principle, to the acquisition of this site under Housing Act powers on the understanding that the County Council shall contribute towards the cost of buying out "non- conforming uses" in so far as they would exceed the value of the land for residential purposes. By 30th April, 1964, negotiations for the vacant property, 96, Greenford Road, had reached a stage where the Council, in accordance with your Com­ mittee's recommendation unanimously supported by the Planning Committee, resolved to acquire it by the exercise of compulsory powers, if necessary. However, the District Valuer has reached agreement with the Vendors for the freehold interest in the property for the sum of £6,600 based on the assumption that planning permission exists for use of part of the property for light industrial purposes, plus Surveyor's fees (£96 12s. Od.) and Solicitor's scale costs, Stamp Duty, etc., estimated at £157 10s. Od. Also, he has reported separately as to the estimated residential value of the property. Resolved to RECOMMEND: That, subject to Middlesex County Council contributing the difference between the cost of buying out non-conforming industrial use and residential values (plus an appropriate portion of Vendors' Surveyor's and Solicitor's scale costs, stamp duty, etc.), the Council agree to acquire, pursuant to Part V of the Housing Act, 1957, the freehold interest in the detached dwelling house and land, 96, Greenford Road, Sudbury Hill, for the sum of £6,600, plus Vendors' Surveyor's fees (£96 12s. Od.) and Solicitor's scale costs, stamp duty, etc., of about £157 10s. Od., in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the District Valuer's report of 10th July, 1964. (Note: The Finance Committee recommend that this expenditure be met by loan.} 253 HOUSING RECOMMENDATION VII: Appointment of Consultant Quantity Surveyors on New Housing Schemes. By resolution 1631 (XI) (13th March, 1959) the Council adopted a policy to engage private architects to supplement the Council's own technical staff on the preparation of new housing schemes. Design drawings for the extension of Stonegrove Estate, redevelopment of the Pinner Hill Estate, and the Sports dressing accommodation at Elstree Hill Estate, by private Architects, and for the Pinner Green site by the Borough Architect's staff, have progressed to the stage of Bills of Quantities and the appointment of consultant Quantity Surveyors to ensure that there will be no avoidable delay in starting the work is now desirable.