8.
9.
10.
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manages 200,000 homes at an average rent, in 1974, of £4.85 per week. GLC expenditure on housing, incl. home loans and rent rebates, is about £250m and rental income about £45m. After deduction of home loan repayments and the Government subsidies the remaining housing charge to the general rate is £23m.
Mr. Wigglesworth stated that the current policy is one of modernisation, termed "in-filling", of older areas rather than construction of large estates. The tendency is also to low-rise (4 floors) and low-density structure rather than high-rise buildings which create social problems, particularly with children. There are difficulties in delay of land acquisitions which, through process of law, can take up to 7 years. Over-crowding is a problem in older estates and there is a several-years waiting list for accommodation throughout all of the 33 Borough Housing Authorities. substantial short-fall between housing costs and rent revenue is the result of the political decision of the current GLC administration to avoid rental increases.
The
GLC Housing Department is organised into 5 Divisions, 3 concerned with housing, 1 with new town areas and 1 with modernisation and rehabilitation of older properties. Current work in progress in the department is about £700m.
South Bank Complex (Mr. C. Burgess)
This visit covered the impressive Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room, The Royal Festival Hall was built in 1951, is a main centre of orchestra and ballet in London, and seats 3000 people with close-circuit television for late-comers. Smaller concert performances are given in Queen Elizabeth Hall, seating 1100 people, and recitals in Purcell Room which accommodates 372 persons. As indicated, the GLC is currently building a National Theatre and new Museum of London.
Note:
Architectural notes on the South Bank Complex were obtained and will be referred to the Council for consideration in relation to the H.K. Cultural Complex.
Kenwood Park (Mr. K. Bennett, Parks Dept.)
The principal object was to visit the Kenwood Bowl which is erected each summer season for the presentation of open-air orchestral concerts (similar events also take place at Crystal Palace Park). ......
The Mission felt that this idea could be adopted in Hong Kong and investigation is recommended. Statistical details of the Kenwood Bowl are being obtained,
London Planetarium
The visit to the London Planetarium had limited success as, due to a misunderstanding, the person concerned was not available. However, it was possible to see one of the shows and an explanatory booklet is available for the study of interested Council members,