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Defective Dwellings.—Repairs.—With regard to houses
found not to be in a reasonable state of repair, the following procedure,
classified under two headings is generally adopted: —
(1) Complaints from or on behalf of the occupier.—The
District Public Health Inspector makes inspection and an intimation
is sent to the owner specifying the defect and nature of nuisance
found. Where necessary, the circumstances are reported to the
Public Health Committee for authority to serve a Statutory Notice
to enforce abatement of the nuisance. The premises are re-inspected
by the Public Health Inspector, and, if work required is not executed
within a reasonable period, Statutory Notice is served. In cases of
non-compliance the Town Clerk is instructed to institute proceedings.
(2) Housing Defects.—These are cases where the conditions are
such that they cannot be remedied under the procedure of the
Public Health (London) Act, 1936, and are dealt with under the
Housing Act, 1957, as being houses unfit for human habitation.
Representations are made to the Public Health Committee to consider
as to whether such houses can be repaired at a reasonable
cost having regard to the value of the premises, or whether Closing
and Demolition Orders should be made.
Pigeon Nuisance.—A local authority is enabled by Section
121 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, to deal with a nuisance
arising from the congregation of pigeons believed to be ownerless
and it has been the practice of this Council to authorize a pigeoncatcher
to deal with pigeons on the highway and other public
places.