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55
LAND CHARGES
The number of land charge enquiries dealt with during the year was 9,788 compared
with 8,794 in 1971. These concerned outstanding statutory or informal notices, closing
orders, smoke control orders, certificates of disrepair, slum clearance, etc.
TOWN PLANNING APPLICATIONS
During the year 2,218 applications were referred to the Health Department for
observations, compared with 1,839 in 1971. The persons responsible for carrying out any
accepted schemes were informed of the various requirements of the Health Department
before any work was commenced. Close liaison between the officers of the Health, Town
Clerk's and Borough Engineer and Surveyor's Departments and the public health inspectors
ensured that any development which took place was in accordance with the relevant Acts
and Byelaws relating to health.
LICENSING ACT, 1964
Two hundred and seventy-six copies of applications to the Licensing Justices
(191 restaurant and/or residential, 26 clubs, 50 publicans and 9 wine only) for licences were
received during the year. Inspections were made in each case to ensure that there were no
breaches of the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1970, and that there was sufficient
and properly sited sanitary accommodation for the use of patrons.
In addition, 32 copies of applications in respect of Off-Licences were received and
the premises inspected to ensure that they complied with the Food Hygiene (General)
Regulations, 1970, and the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963.
LICENCES FOR PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT
During the year, five copies of applications for music and dancing licences from the
Greater London Council were referred to this department for reports of any actual
complaints on the grounds of noise nuisance received from local residents. No complaints
were made to this department in respect of the premises concerned.
GREATER LONDON COUNCIL (GENERAL POWERS) ACT, 1968
The Borough Council adopted the provisions of Part VIII of the above Act and fixed
the appointed day as 2nd June, 1969, and from that date no premises in the borough may
be used as a night cafe without being registered with the Council under the Act. The
registration must be renewed every year.
The term "night cafe" means any premises kept open for refreshment at any time
between the hours of 11.00 p.m. and 5.00 a.m. whether for use by the public or by a club,
organisation or body, except that public houses, theatres, cinemas, hotels, guest houses,
specified licensed premises or premises used for charitable purposes or as a sports club or
staff canteen are excluded from this definition.
Any person whose night cafe operates without being registered is liable to a fine of
up to £200 or three months' imprisonment or both.
Any person applying for registration of premises or for renewal of registration as a
night cafe must pay to the Council a fee of £1 and give public notice in the prescribed
manner drawing attention to the right of members of the public to object to the
registration.
Thirty-eight applications for registration were received, but five of these were from
premises not eligible for registration.
Twenty-nine premises were registered during the year.