View report page

12
SANITARY INSPECTIONS
General
The deficiency in the Sanitary Inspector's establishment to which
reference was made in my last two Annual Reports, was not made good
until late December.
The system of priorities to which I have referred in previous reports
was, therefore, continued during 1954, but it is hoped that a return to
more normal working will be realised next year.
The total number of primary inspections during 1954 was 5,681, an
increase of 577 upon the previous year. The number of complaints was
approximately the same as last year but time was found to increase
slightly the visits paid to Factories, Shops and Food premises.
Towards the end of the year the impact of the Housing Repairs and
Rents Act was being felt, resulting in 67 inspections being made in consequence
of applications for Certificates of Disrepair.
Defects found were dealt with under the Public Health (London) Act,
the London County Council Bye-Laws and the London County Council
General Powers Acts.
A summary of Sanitary Work carried out in the Borough appears in
Tables II and III of the Appendix to this Report.
Smoke Abatement and Air Pollution
It was not necessary to undertake legal proceedings or any action,
other than informal during the year.
The Public Health Committee decided to establish a station for the
investigation of atmospheric pollution, and it is hoped that this will be
installed shortly in the Public Health Department building.
Offensive Trade
The one factory in the Borough at which an offensive trade is carried
on was kept under constant observation. Although in view of the
situation of the factory I doubt if it will ever be entirely satisfactory,
intelligent co-operation between the management of the factory and the
staff of my Department may help to keep complaints to a minimum.
Rodent Control
One Rodent Supervisor and two Operators were employed throughout
the year under the general direction of the Chief Sanitary Inspector, and
the following tables summarise the work carried out: —