3.10. The activities in respect of dangerous buildings have, however, been able to be more effectively planned, because a great many of the very dangerous old buildings have, in the course of the last six years, been demolished. A realistic programme of planned inspections was proposed in 1964, and very good progress has been made. Much remains to be done, however, and the commitment is a never-ending one. It is, however, pertinent to note that as a result of the work which has been done, the position is greatly improved. This is evinced by the fact that up to two or more years ago, some 70% of all dangerous building notices served by the Building Authority required complete demolition, because of the extremely dilapidated state of the building, and only 30% repairs. The reverse is now the case, and some 60-70% of all such notices now served call for repairs, and not demolition. These efforts have, however, been primarily concentrated on pre-war buildings but evidence is accumulating which indicates the eventual need to examine immediate post-war development. This, by the passage of time, will gradually extend the process to the inspection of more recent construction, which if the further necessary staff expansion is approved when appropriate, will prevent a repetition of the situation now barely contained.
3.11. The recession in building planning, which came with dramatic suddenness at the beginning of 1966, following the Bank failures, enabled staff to be diverted to the control of illegal building works - an activity which for many years had had to be neglected due to lack of staff. Whilst the time of the staff engaged on this work is devoted almost entirely to dealing with reports received (from the public, other Government Departments, or by the Buildings Ordinance Office itself) there is a scheme for planned inspections of all buildings, and a start, albeit in a very modest way, has been made on this. Unfortunately, the recruitment of suitably qualified staff is difficult, and if the increase in building development accelerates, it may be necessary to re-deploy staff back from Control and Enforcement work. This would be retrograde and to be avoided if at all possible.
ENGINEERING
3.12. Roads and drainage works, are constructed to form part of an overall plan and the planning process can be described under three stages:
3.10. The activities in respect of dangerous buildings have, however, been able to be more effectively planned, because a great many of the very dangerous old buildings have, in the course of the last six years, been demolished. A realistic programme of planned inspections was proposed in 1964, and very good progress has been made. Much remains to be done, however, and the commitment is a never-ending one. It is, however, pertinent to note that as a result of the work which has been done, the position is greatly improved. This is evinced by the fact that up to two or more years ago, some 70% of all dangerous building notices served by the Building Authority required complete demolition, because of the extremely dilapidated state of the building, and only 30% repairs. The reverse is now the case, and some 60-70% of all such notices now served call for repairs, and not demolition. These efforts have, however, been primarily concentrated on pre-war buildings but evidence is accumulating which indicates the eventual need to examine immediate post-war development. This, by the passage of time, will gradually extend the process to the inspection of more recent construction, which if the further necessary staff expansion is approved when appropriate, will prevent a repetition of the situation now barely contained.
:
3.11. The recession in building planning, which came with dra- matic suddenness at the beginning of 1966, following the Bank failures, enabled staff to be diverted to the control of illegal building works- an activity which for many years had had to be neglected due to lack of staff. Whilst the time of the staff engaged on this work is devoted almost entirely to dealing with reports received (from the public, other Government Departments, or by the Buildings Ordinance Office itself) there is a scheme for planned inspections of all buildings, and a start, albeit in a very modest way, has been made on this. Unfortunately, the recruitment of suitably qualified staff is difficult, and if the increase in building development accelerates, it may be necessary to re-deploy staff back from Control and Enforcement work. This would be retrograde and to be avoided if at all possible.
ENGINEERING
3.12. Roads and drainage works, are constructed to form part of an overall plan and the planning process can be described under three stages:
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