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Of the 433 notices complied with, the repairs found necessary
at 318 houses were of an extensive kind, and included such work
as the provision or renewal of damp-proof courses, site concrete,
eaves gutters and rainwater pipes, major roof repairs, and renewal
of flooring, and wall and ceiling plaster.
Work of a less extensive character was required at 115 houses.
In addition, defects at 123 houses were remedied in circumstances
not requiring service of notices. It will be appreciated that
the coming into force of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, which
it is anticipated will be placed on the Statute Book during 1954,
will place additional burdens on the shoulders of the Public Health
Department, particularly the Sanitary Inspectors. As this, however,
is not a matter which falls within the purview of the Report for
1953, no more need be said on the subject for the time being.
Housing Applications
The task of visiting housing applicants and the preparation of
reports on their living conditions has been discontinued, with the
exception of certain cases where information is required by the
Council's Housing Officer, or by Housing Departments of outside
districts, when a Wood Green resident is an applicant on their
housing list. Several such visits were made by the Sanitary
Inspectors during the year.
I am happy to be able to report that the closest liaison exists
between the Housing Section and the Public Health Department.
Scarcely a week passes but consultation takes place between both
Departments in regard to housing applications. This particularly
applies, of course, to cases in which there is a medical background,
especially cases of tuberculosis. It is very right that this co-operation
should exist, and it gives me great satisfaction to believe that the
weight of medical evidence invariably receives sympathetic and
careful consideration.
Rodent Control
Out of a total of 1,735 premises inspected throughout the year,
it was found necessary to carry out treatment at 177 of them; 156
dwelling houses and 21 other premises were treated for rat infestation
; a further 27 dwelling houses and 6 other premises were
treated for the presence of mice.
Where there is suspicion or evidence that the rats are coming
from defective drains, the Sanitary Inspector is informed, a test
with the smoke testing machine applied, and any necessary action
taken.
Two maintenance treatments of the soil sewers were carried
out, the first in June and the second in November and December;
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