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Unfortunately with such property the abatement of
nuisances is frequently followed within a short space of time
by the occurrence of further nuisances which require attention.
As a result, the investigation of complaints and repeated visits
absorbed a large proportion of the Sanitary Inspectors' time
and it was not possible for them to carry out house-to-house
inspections in their districts.
Repairs were not always expeditiously carried out owing
to a variety of factors such as the shortage of materials, the
necessity for securing a building licence and prolonged negotiations
between property owners and the War Damage Commission
for agreement as to which items of repair were properly attributable
to enemy action damage.
At the end of the year there were 7,670 families on the
Council's waiting list for alternative housing accommodation,
a large proportion of whom had based their claims upon the
insanitary conditions under which they were living. Every
effort has been made to remedy these defects in order to provide
the inhabitants with tolerable comfort.
Co-operation continued with the Council's Housing Deparment
in connection with recommendations for rehousing
on medical grounds or on account of overcrowding.
The campaign to clear premises and bombed sites of rats
and mice was actively pursued. A consolidated grant of 50 per
cent. of the approved expenditure incurred by the Local Authority
is now available subject to compliance with the conditions laid
down by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Operations
were continued for the treatment of block areas and investigations
were carried out to ascertain the reason for repeated
infestations of particular premises in order to remove the
cause of the nuisance. Systematic sewer baiting took place
throughout the year.
Many complaints were received concerning the deposit of
rubbish on bombed sites throughout the Borough. The Sanitary
Inspectors visited the sites concerned in every instance and
where public health nuisances were found to exist, the Borough
Engineer and Surveyor was requested to arrange for the removal
of the offensive matter by the Council's workmen.
The Council adopted a Bye-law which became operative on the
1st May, 1948, governing the Deposit of Litter to the Detriment
of Public Amenities.
A number of complaints were also received with regard to
pleasure fairs held in various open spaces in the Borough.
By-laws were made by the Council under Section 68 of the