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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, 22 such cases were considered by the Committee,
in all of which it was decided to serve the notice on the owner. In 4
of the cases (4 flats in a block of dwellings where each flat normally
has its own small dustbin) the owner appealed against the notices.
At the same time as he lodged his appeals, he wrote to the tenants
requesting them to provide the dustbins. Three of them did so, and
the appeals were not proceeded with. In the fourth case, the hearing
of the appeal was deferred pending settlement of a dispute between
the owner and the tenant as to the legality of the latter's occupation of
the flat. This was not decided at the end of the year.
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 466 new buildings,
and the drains of 14 old buildings were partially or entirely reconducted
under the supervision of the Officers of the Health Department.
123 plans of proposed drainage work were deposited in 1953, as
compared with 104 in 1952.