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102
Throughout the emergency, the Public Health Inspectors were in close
touch with the officers of the Borough Engineer's Department and every
assistance was given in determining the priorities for removal of rubbish
which were causing a health nuisance. Co-operation between the two
departments was in evidence at all times and it was felt that all necessary
step's were taken by the officers concerned to protect the health of the
residents of the Borough.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Public Health Act, 1936/1961
Nuisances
During the year, fifty-six summonses were issued for various nuisances
under the Public Health Act, 1936/1961. In seventeen cases, Abatement
Orders were secured, fines totalling £68 0s 0d and costs amounting to
£31 2s Od. In twenty-four cases, the summonses were withdrawn, the
nuisances having been abated prior to the Court hearings, and in nine cases
the summonses were adjourned sine die as the necessary works were being
carried out by the defendants.
In these cases, the summonses were not served, in the one case the
summons was withdrawn and in two cases the summonses were re-served.
Byelaws as to the Artificial Lighting of Common Staircases in Tenemant
Houses and Flats
Two summonses were issued against a landlord for a contravention of
the above Byelaws in respect of failure to provide adequate means for the
artificial lighting of the common staircase in two tenement houses.
Convictions were obtained and fines amounting to £20 0s 0d were imposed
and the Council were awared £4 0s 0d costs.
Clean Air Act, 1956
Three summonses were issued against a Stores, an Airways Terminal and
a Supermarket who permitted smoke to be emitted from chimney of buildings
contained in the Kensington No. 8, Earls Court/Queensgate 1966 and
Kensington No. 11 Brompton/Queensgate 1967 Smoke Control Orders.
The Magistrates imposed fines totalling £20 0s 0d and the Council
were awarded costs amounting to £9 0s 0d.
Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Acts, 1963
Eight summonses were taken out against three defendants for
contraventions of the above Act. The contraventions included the failure
to supply a thermometer to enable the temperature to be determined;
failure to provide a substantial handrail to the staircase; failure to
properly maintain the stairs (defective stair treads and nosings); failure
to properly maintain the floor covering and floor boards; failure to
provide suitable and sufficient washing facilities, and failure to maintain
and keep clean the sanitary convenience. In these cases, the summonses
were withdrawn as the work had been carried out prior to the Court hearings.
The remaining five summonses were in respect of one defendant who was
found guilty but was given an absolute discharge by the Court, as the
majority of the work had been carried out by the day of the hearing.