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fully investigated and appropriate action was taken where necessary. 12
complaints were received concerning the sale of unsatisfactory foodstuffs
and in two instances successful legal proceedings were instituted.
The Women Public Health Inspectors have continued to give a great
deal of attention to food shops and catering establishments which are kept
under constant supervision. Every effort has been made to obtain the
highest possible standards regarding structural improvements, modernisation
of equipment and hygiene. This necessitated advising owners on all these
matters and discussing with staffs points of personal hygiene and food
handling. In the majority of cases owners and caterers have been most cooperative
and considerable improvements have been achieved.
Your District Public Health Inspectors have diligently carried out
their many duties in regard to the general supervision of environmental
conditions within their districts. The supervision of plumbing and
drainage works has again made heavy demands upon their time and this section
of their work continues to expand and calls for considerable concentration
when dealing with complicated schemes of conversion involving large buildings.
The investigation of noise complaints is another aspect of their work which
often entails long periods of observation and numerous enquiries before a
satisfactory solution can be reached.
Work on the establishment of smoke control areas in accordance with
the Council's phased programme progressed satisfactorily during the year,
and the second Smoke Control Order covering Hans Town Ward became operative
on the 1st November. It was intended that the next area to be brought under
smoke control should comprise Royal Hospital Ward and part Cheyne Ward, but
dealing with part of a ward would have created administrative difficulties in
arriving at figures in regard to area, premises, population and assessment
of cost. It has been agreed, therefore, to combine the Royal Hospital and
Cheyne Wards into one area, and the detailed survey of this area is now in
progress.
During the year under review the routine work of the Department relating
to the care of old people continued to increase and many social and other
problems were brought to the attention of tne Council's officers. 213 new
cases were added to the Department's register and the Social Worker made a
total of 1,604 visits to old and new cases. The frozen meals service, which
has now been in operation for well over a year, appears to have proved a very
successful venture and is greatly appreciated by the majority of recipients.
When this service was first introduced many old people were suspicious of this
new system of distributing meals but experience has shown that they now prefer
to receive a pre-packed frozen meal which takes only fifteen minutes to
prepare and which they can have at a time suitable to themselves. The
National Assistance Act, 1948 (Amendment) Act, 1962, which received Royal
Assent on the 24th May, extends the previous powers of local authorities to
provide meals and recreation for old people. Your Public Health and Baths
Committee have welcomed the wider powers now available which will be used
whenever necessary. Close liaison and good relations continue to exist
between the officers of the Public Health Department, the Old People's
Welfare Committee and the local voluntary organisations, and I feel sure
that all members of the Council will join with me in thanking the
voluntary workers who have so readily given of their time to assist old
people in their many and varied problems.