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21
Clean Air Act, 1956
In accordance with the Council's proposed programme of smoke control
orders for the Borough, the Minister of Housing and Local Government duly confirmed
during the year the Council's first Order which came into operation on 1st December,
1960.
On receipt of the confirmation every householder in the Area whose
premises had fireplaces where conversions were considered necessary was invited to
submit estimates of the cost of the works required.
Inspections followed the receipt of these estimates and tenants were in
due course notified of the Council's approval to the proposed works of adaptation
and the amount of grant payable on satisfactory completion of the work. Subsequent
visits were made when claims were submitted for payment of the grants.
The operative date of the Order was widely publicised so that all householders
and business premises in the Area were made aware that the emission of
smoke from chimneys in the Zone after 1st December, 1960, might constitute an
offence under the Clean Air Act of 1956.
Notices under Section 12 (2) of the Act were served where necessary.
Preliminary action was taken in the Spring of 1960 to introduce the
Council's: No.2 Smoke Control Order. The Order was made by the Council in
November and at the end of the year the Minister's confirmation was awaited.
There are over 2,500 householders in this area and it is expected that this Order
will become operative later in 1961,
Tenants have co-operated well and there is no doubt that the
implementation of the Council's Clean Air policy is meeting with goodwill and
approval.
Atmospheric Pollution
A station for the monthly measurement of deposited matter and of
sulphur dioxide is installed on the roof of a building at one of the Council's Depots.
The apparatus used is in two parts, one instrument being a deposit gauge for the
measurement of ash and grit, etc., in the atmosphere and the other a lead peroxide
instrument by which the amount of sulphur dioxide is measured.
In addition, a second station for recording the daily measurement of
pollution by sulphur dioxide and of smoke is installed at the Town Hall.