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In the last few years, a number of such appeals have been
made, some of them being subsequently taken to the Divisional Court.
As a result, the principle has been established that, in deciding whether
notice should be served on the owner or on the occupier, the local
authority must consider all the circumstances of the individual case.
It had previously been the practice of the Council, save in very
exceptional circumstances, to regard the provision of dustbin accommodation
as a matter for the owner, and accordingly to serve notice on
him. In view, however, of the situation created by the various appeals
referred to above, the Health Committee decided in 1949 that in future
the circumstances of each case (e.g., net rent of house, number of tenants,
existence of any tenancy agreement, financial circumstances of the
occupier, etc.) should be submitted to them for their decision as to
whether the notice is to be served on the owner or occupier. It should,
however, be made clear that whatever the Committee may decide, the
person served with a notice still has his right of appeal to the court.
During the year, 4 such cases were considered by the Committee.
In 3 of them it was decided to serve the notice on the owner, and in
the remaining 1 on the occupier. In no case was an appeal lodged.
Common Lodging Houses.
There are no Common Lodging Houses or Seamen's Lodging
Houses in the Borough.
Public Lavatory Accommodation.
Five public conveniences for both sexes and one for females only
are provided by the Council in various parts of the Borough, two being
underground. In addition to the usual lavatory accommodation (at
least one free water-closet being provided for each sex) facilities for
washing are also provided. Three public urinals are also maintained.
In addition, the urinals attached to nine licensed premises are, by
arrangement with the owners, available to the general public.
The Council provide, in the interests of public health, free washing
facilities at each of the public conveniences in the Borough.
Drainage Work.
The by-laws made by the London County Council under the
Metropolis Management Acts with regard to drainage, and also those
under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, relating to water-closets,
etc., are enforced by the Council.
During the year new drains were constructed to 21 new buildings,
and the drains of 17 old buildings were partially or entirely reconstructed
under the supervision of the Officers of the Health Department.
104 plans of proposed drainage work were deposited in 1952, as
compared with 79 in 1951.
During the year drains were tested by smoke on 166 occasions and
50 were found defective. The water test was applied on 1,262 occasions,
this being mainly to drains in course of construction.