Towns Improvement Clauses Act 1847

1. Introductory Text

2. Extent of Act.

3. Interpretations in this Act :

4. II. Interpretations in this and the special Act:

5. III. Interpretations in this and the special Act:

6. Citing the Act

   1. IV. Short Title of this Act.

   2. V. Form in which Portions of this Act may be incorporated with other Acts.

7. Officers

   1. VI. Until an Inspector is appointed Under some general Act, Execution of Works may be proceeded with without his Approval.

   2. VII. Commissioners to appoint, subject to Approval, a Surveyor.

   3. VIII. Surveyor, before entering upon Office, to make the following Declaration.

   4. IX. Commissioners shall appoint an Inspector of Nuisances.

   5. X. Surveyor and Inspector of Nuisances.

   6. XI. Commissioners to provide Offices for Surveyor and Inspector.

   7. XII. Power to appoint, subject to Approval, an Officer of Health.

8. Surveys and Plans

   1. XIII. Commissioners to cause a Map of the District within the Limits of the special Act to be made, and to be open to Inspection.

   2. XIV. Ordnance may furnish Commissioners with Maps, or cause Surveys to be made.

   3. XV. Level Lines to be marked on Map, and Bench Marks to be made for denoting the same.

   4. XVI. Commissioners may cause Maps to be engraved, &c., and pay Expences out of Rates.

   5. XVII. Commissioners to cause Plans to be prepared of Alterations of new Works or Alterations of existing Works.

   6. XVIII. Before giving Notice of Construction of Works, Plans to be prepared and deposited in the Office of the Commissioners.

9. Lands

   1. XIX. The taking of Lands to be subject to the Provisions of this Act and the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845.

   2. XX. Errors and Omissions in Plans, &c may be corrected by Justices, who shall certify the same. Certificate to be deposited.

   3. XXI. Commissioners to make Compensation for Damage done. If Parties cannot agree as to Compensation, the same to be determined in manner provided by 7 & 8 Vict. c. 18.

10. Sewers

    1. XXII. Management of Sewers and other Works vested in the Commissioners.

    2. XXIII. Drainage Districts to be formed, subject to Approval of Inspector.

    3. XXIV. Power to Commissioners to construct Sewers where none exist, making Compensation to Owners of Property.

    4. XXV. Commissioners may alter Sewers from Time to Time.

    5. XXVI. Commissioners not to destroy existing Sewers, &c. without providing others. Penalty for Neglect.

    6. XXVII. Commissioners to cause Estimates to be prepared and submitted to the Inspector.

    7. XXVIII. As to the Expence of making new Sewers. Where Lands, &c. were sufficiently drained before making new Sewer, Occupier to have a Reduction made in his Rates.

    8. XXIX. As to the Expence of maintaining Sewers, &c.

    9. XXX. Penalty for making unauthorized Drains.

    10. XXXI. Vaults and Cellars under Streets not to be made without the Consent of the Commissioners.

    11. XXXIII. Streets may be stopped for Repairs.

    12. XXXIV. All Sewers, &c. to be covered with Traps.

    13. XXXIV. Sewers may be used by Owners and Occupiers of Land beyond Limits of Town or District.

11. House Drains

    1. XXXV. Commissioners empowered to construct Drains from House, charging Owner, &c. with the Expence.

    2. XXXVI. No House to be hereafter built without Drains being constructed.

    3. XXXVII. Where Houses are rebuilt, the Level shall be sufficient to allow a Drain to be constructed.

    4. XXXVIII. Notice of Buildings and Rebuildings to be given to the Commissioners.

    5. XXXIX. Commissioners may signify Disapproval within Fourteen Days.

    6. XL. Houses built without Notice, or contrary to Provisions of this or the special Act, may be altered.

    7. XLI. If Commissioners fail to signify their Approval, &c. within Fourteen Days, Parties may proceed without.

    8. XLII. Commissioners may require Owners of Houses to provide Privies and Ashpits for the same.

    9. XLIII. Penalty for neglecting to provide Privy, &c.

    10. XLIV. Drains, Privies, and Cesspools to be kept in good Order by Owners. If Owners neglect, Commissioners may cause the same to be done, and charge the Owners with the Expence.

    11. XLV. As to the Inspection of Drains, Privies, and Cesspools.

    12. XLVI. Penalty on Persons making or altering Drains, &c. contrary to the Orders of the Commissioners.

12. Paving

    1. XLVII. Management of Streets vested in Commissioners.

    2. XLVIII. Commissioners to be Surveyors of Highways.

    3. XLIX. Commissioners liable to Indictment for Want of Repairs.

    4. L. Road Trustees not to collect Tolls within Limits of Act.

    5. LI. Power for the Commissioners to pave public Streets.

    6. LII. Commissioners may place Fences to Footways.

    7. LIII. Where public Streets have not heretofore been paved, Commissioners may cause them to be paved, at the Expence of the Occupiers of adjoining Lands.

    8. LIV. Future Streets may be declared Highways.

    9. LV. Commissioners, upon Completion of Two Thirds of any Street, may, upon Application, require remaining One Third to be completed by Owners of Houses.

    10. LVI. Penalty on Persons altering Pavements without the Consent of the Commissioners.

13. New Streets

    1. LVII. Notice of Intention to lay out new Streets to be given to Commissioners.

    2. LVIII. Levels to be fixed by the Surveyor to the Commissioners.

    3. LIX. If the Commissioners fail to fix the Level, the Party may proceed without.

    4. LX. Persons laying out Streets, without Notice to be liable to the Expences of subsequent Alterations of Levels.

    5. LXI. Situation of Gas and Water Pipes to be altered at the Expence of the Commissioners.

    6. LXII. If Gas or Water Company neglect to make the Alteration, the Commissioners may cause the same to be done.

    7. LXIII. As to the Width of new Streets.

14. Naming Streets

    1. LXIV. Houses to be numbered and Streets named.

    2. LXV. Numbers of Houses to be renewed by Occupiers.

15. Improving Streets

    1. LXVI. Houses may be set forward for improving Line of Street.

    2. LXVII. Commissioners may purchase Houses or Ground for effecting additional Improvements.

    3. LXVIII. Houses projecting beyond Line of Street, when taken down, to be set back.

    4. LXIX. Future Projections of Houses, &c. to be removed, on Notice.

    5. LXX. Commissioners may cause existing Projections to be removed, and Compensation to be made.

    6. LXXI. Doors in future to be made to open inwards.

    7. LXXII. Doors opening outwards may be altered.

    8. LXXIII. Coverings for Cellar Doors to be made by Occupier. Penalty for Neglect.

    9. LXXIV. Waterspouts to be affixed to Houses or Buildings.

16. Ruinous or dangerous Buildings

    1. LXXV. Ruinous or dangerous Buildings to be taken down or secured by Owners, &c. If Owner, &c. neglect to repair, Commissioners may cause the same to be done, charging Owner, &c. with the Expences.

    2. LXXVI. The Expences to be levied by Distress on the Owner.

    3. LXXVII. If Owner cannot be found, Commissioners may take the House or Ground, making Compensation provided by 7 & 8 Vict. c.18.

    4. LXXVIII. Commissioners may sell the Materials, restoring to the Owner Overplus arising from the Sale.

17. Precautions during Repairs

    1. LXXIX. Bars to be erected across Streets while Repairs or Alterations are making, and Lights placed at Night.

    2. LXXX. Hoards to be set up during Repairs.

    3. LXXXI. Penalty for not lighting Deposits of Building Materials or Excavations.

    4. LXXXII. Penalty for continuing Deposits of Building Materials or Excavations an unreasonable Time.

    5. LXXXIII. Dangerous Places to be repaired or inclosed.

18. Objections to Works

    1. LXXXIV. Commissioners to give Notice of new Levels or Sewers.

    2. LXXXV. Meeting of Commissioners to hear Objections in the Presence of the Inspector.

    3. LXXXVI. Persons aggrieved by Order of Commissioners may appeal to Quarter Sessions.

19. Cleansing Streets

    1. LXXXVII. Commissioners to cause Streets to be cleansed, and Dust and Ashes to be removed from the Houses.

    2. LXXXVIII. Occupiers to cause Footways to be swept. Penalty for Neglect.

    3. LXXXIX. Commissioners may compound for sweeping Footways.

    4. XC. Dust, &c. collected to be vested in the Commissioners.

    5. XCI. Commissioners may provide Lands, &c. for Deposit of Soil and materials.

    6. XCII. Dust Boxes to be erected by Commissioners.

    7. XCIII. Commissioners may cause public Conveniences to be erected.

    8. XCIV. Commissioners to cause Streets to be watered, and Wells, Pumps, &c. to be provided.

    9. XCV. Commissioners to appoint Scavengers.

    10. XCVI. Penalty for obstructing Scavengers.

    11. XCVII. Penalty on Persons other than Scavengers removing Dirt.

    12. XCVIII. Penalty for conveying offensive Matter at improper Times.

20. Nuisances

    1. XCIX. Stagnant Pools of Water and other Annoyances to be removed.

    2. C. Regulations to prevent Accumulation of Dung, &c.

    3. CI. On Certificate of the Officer of Health, Filth to be removed.

    4. CII. Houses to be whitewashed and purified, on Certificate of Officer of Health, &c.

    5. CIII. No Interment in any Grave without leaving Two Feet Six Inches clear of Soil above the Coffin.

    6. CIV. Justices may order Nuisances to be abated.

    7. CV. Penalty for Disobedience of Orders of Justices.

    8. CVI. Commissioners to order Costs of Prosecutions to be paid out of the Rates.

21. Nuisances

    1. CVII. Act not to affect Nuisances at Common Law.

22. Smoke

    1. CVIII. Fireplaces of Factories &c. to consume their own Smoke.

23. Fire

    1. CIX. Party Walls to be carried up through the Roof. Walls of Buildings and Coverings of Roofs to be made of incombustible Materials.

24. Ventilation

    1. CX. Regulating Construction of Buildings intended as Places for Public Meetings. No Person to begin to build until Plan has been approved by Commissioners.

    2. CXI. If Commissioners fail to signify their Approval of Plan within Fourteen Days, Party may proceed to build.

    3. CXII. Persons may appeal against Determination of Commissioners.

    4. CXIII. Cellars in Courts not to be occupied as Dwellings after letting prohibited.

    5. CXIV. No Cellars under the Height of Seven Feet from the Floor to the Ceiling to be let as Dwellings.

    6. CXV. Penalty on letting such Cellars as Dwelling Places.

25. Lodging Houses

    1. CXVI. For the Regulation and Inspection of Lodging Houses.

    2. CXVII. Commissioners to keep a Register of Lodging House Keepers, and make Rules for promoting Cleanliness and Ventilation.

    3. CXVIII. Penalty on Lodging House Keepers not complying with the Provisions of the Act.

26. Lighting

    1. CXIX. Commissioners may contract for lighting the Streets,

    2. CXX. For ascertaining Price to be paid for Gas in case of Dispute.

27. Water

    1. CXXI. Power to Commissioners to construct public Cisterns and Pumps for Supply of Water to Baths and Wash-houses. Commissioners not to construct such new Works without Approval.

    2. CXXII. Commissioners may contract for Supply of Water.

    3. CXXIII. For ascertaining Price to be paid for Water in case of Dispute.

    4. CXXIV. Commissioners to cause Fire Plugs, &c. to be provided and maintained.

28. Slaughterhouses

    1. CXXV. Commissioners may license Slaughterhouses, &c.

    2. CXXVI. No new Slaughterhouses in future to be erected with out a Licence.

    3. CXXVII. Existing Slaughter-houses, &c. to be registered.

    4. CXXVIII. Commissioners may make Bye Laws for Regulation of Slaughterhouses, &c.

    5. CXXIX. Justice may suspend Licence of Slaughterhouses, &c. in addition to Penalty imposed.

    6. CXXX. Penalty for slaughtering Cattle during Suspension of Licence, &c.

    7. CXXXI. Officers may enter and inspect Slaughterhouses, &c.

29. Special Order

    1. CXXXII. As to certain Matters authorized to be done by the Commissioners by special Order only.

    2. CXXXIII. Final Resolution not to be carried into effect for One Month, nor then if a Majority of the Ratepayers remonstrate against the same.

    3. CXXXIV. Commissioners may purchase Slaughterhouses, &c. ;

    4. CXXXV. and Places for public Recreation.

    5. CXXXVI. Public Bathing Places and Drying Grounds.

    6. CXXXVII. Proportion of Baths for the Working Classes.

    7. CXXXVIII. Charges for the Use of Baths.

    8. CXXXIX. Recovery of Charges for the Use of Baths, &c.

    9. CXL. Publication of Bye Laws-in regard to Baths, &c.

    10. CXLI. Sale of Baths, &c. on discontinuing them.

    11. CXLII. Application to be made to Parliament if additional Powers necessary.

30. Clocks

    1. CXLIII. Power to Commissioner's to provide public Clocks.

31. Execution of Works by Commissioners

    1. CXLIV. Commissioners empowered to enter upon Lands for the Purposes of this Act.

    2. CXLV. Penalty on Persons obstructing Commissioners in their Duty.

32. Execution of Works by Owners

    1. CXLVI. As to Service of Notice on Owners and Occupiers of Buildings and Lands.

    2. CXLVII. Commissioners, in default of Owner or Occupier, may execute Works and recover Expences.

    3. CXLVIII. Occupier, in default of Owner, may execute Works and deduct Expences from his Rent.

    4. CXLIX. How Expences are to be recovered from Owner.

    5. CL. Power to levy Charges on Occupier, who may deduct the same from his Rent.

    6. CLI. Occupier not to be liable for more than the Amount of Rent due.

    7. CLII. Commissioners may allow Time for Repayment by Owners of Improvement Expences.

    8. CLIII. Proceedings in case of Tenants opposing the Execution of this Act.

    9. CLIV. Respecting existing Con tracts for Building.

    10. CLV. Respecting Contracts for Leases.

33. Rates

    1. CLVI. As to the Recovery of private Improvement Expences.

    2. CLVII. Where new Sewers are made Commissioners may make special Sewer Rates.

    3. CLVIII. Commissioners to make a general Sewer Rate distinct from other Rates.

    4. CLIX. Commissioners may borrow Money by Mortgage of Sewer Rates.

    5. CLX. Sewer Rate to be of such Amount as to pay off Monies borrowed thereon in Thirty Years.

    6. CLXI. Cases where Rates may be charged upon separate and distinct Districts.

    7. CLXII. Rates to be levied on separate and distinct Districts.

    8. CLXIII. Drainage Rates.

    9. CLXIV. Occupiers may deduct a Proportion of Drainage Rate from their Rent.

    10. CLXV. Landlords being also Tenants, may deduct Proportion of Drainage Rate from their Rent.

    11. CLXVI. Limitation of Expenditure for House Drains, &c,

    12. CLXVII. Rates to be levied on Persons holding, using, or occupying Houses, &c. Proportion to be paid by Holders of Lands, Nursery Grounds, &c.

    13. CLXVIII. Exemptions from Rates.

    14. CLXIX. Rates may be prospective or retrospective.

    15. CLXX. Commissioners to cause Estimates to be prepared before making a Rate.

    16. CLXXI. Notice of Rate to be given.

    17. CLXXII. Form of Rate.

    18. CLXXIII. Rate to be open to Inspection of Rate-payers, who may take Copies, &c.

    19. CLXXIV. Rates maybe amended.

    20. CLXXV. Value of Property to be ascertained according to Poor Rate.

    21. CLXXVI. If Poor Rate an unfair Criterion, a Valuation to be made.

    22. CLXXVII. Person appointed a Valuer to make a Declaration, before acting.

    23. CLXXVIII. Poor Rate to be open to Inspection by Commissioners.

    24. CLXXIX. Owner of Property unoccupied to be assessed to the Sewer Rate.

    25. CLXXX. Unoccupied Premises to be included in the Rates; and if the Premises are afterwards occupied, a Portion of Rates to be paid.

    26. CLXXXI. Owners of Property not exceeding 10l. per Annum net annual Value to pay Rates instead of Occupier.

    27. CLXXXII. Not necessary to name the Owner where unknown.

    28. CLXXXIII. Tenants under existing Leases to repay the Owner.

    29. CLXXXIV. Occupiers may be rated if they think fit.

34. Appeal

    1. CLXXXV. Persons aggrieved may appeal to Petty Sessions on the ground of Incorrectness, &c. of Valuation. Their Decision to be final unless appealed from to Quarter Sessions.

    2. CLXXXVI. Parties may appeal to the Quarter Sessions against a Rate.

    3. CLXXXVII. Quarter Sessions to hear Appeal, whose Decision shall be final.

    4. CLXXXVIII. No Order of Special Sessions to be in force pending Appeal.

    5. CLXXXIX. On Appeal, the Quarter Sessions and Petty Sessions to have same Power of amending and quashing Rates, and of awarding Costs, as in Appeals against Poor Rates.

    6. CXC. Order of Justices not to be removed by Certiorari.

35. Recovery of Rates

    1. CXCI. Rates to be recovered by Distress.

    2. CXCII. Form of Warrant of Distress. Constables to assist in making Distress.

    3. CXCIII. Rate Books to be Evidence.

    4. CXCIV. Remedy against Persons quitting before Payment of Rates.

    5. CXCV. Rates to be apportioned on Holder quitting.

    6. CXCVI. Rates due from Owner may be recovered from Occupier.

    7. CXCVII. Occupier not to be required to pay more than the Amount of Rent owing by him.

    8. CXCVIII. Occupier refusing to give Name of Owner liable to a Penalty.

    9. CXCIX. Surveyors of Highways may proceed for the Recovery of Arrears of Highway Rates.

36. Bye Laws

    1. CC. Bye Laws.

    2. CCI. Bye Laws may be enforced by Imposition of Penalties.

    3. CCII. Bye Laws to be confirmed.

    4. CCIII. Notice of Confirmation to be given.

    5. CCIV. A Copy of proposed Bye Laws to be open to Inspection.

    6. CCV. Publication of Bye Laws.

    7. CCVI. Bye Laws to be binding on all Parties.

    8. CCVII. Evidence of Bye Laws.

    9. CCVIII. Penalty on pulling dow Boards.

    10. CCIX. Tender of Amends.

37. Recovery of Damages and Penalties

    1. CCX. Clauses of 8 & 9 Vict. c.20 as to Recovery of Damages and Penalties incorporated with this and special Act, &c.

    2. CCXI. In Ireland Part of Penalties to be paid to Guardians of Unions.

    3. CCXII. Things required to be done by Two Justices may, in certain Cases, be done by One.

    4. CCXIII. Persons giving false Evidence liable to Penalties of Perjury.

38. Access to special Act

    1. CCXIV. Copies of special Act to be kept by Commissioners at their Office, and deposited with the Clerks of the Peace, &c, and be open to Inspection.

    2. CCXV. Penalty on Commissioners failing to keep or deposit such Copies.

    3. CCXVI. Act may be amended.

39. SCHEDULES referred to by the foregoing Act.

    1. SCHEDULE (A.)

    2. SCHEDULE (B.)