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In cases of financial hardship, a local authority also has discretion
under Section 12(1) of the Clean Air Act, to pay more than 7/10ths
grant. The Council continued its previous policy and paid the full
cost of reasonable and necessary works of conversion or adaptation
in the case of application from occupier/owners who are retirement
pensioners and in receipt of Supplementary Pension. One such payment was approved in the year. A further 2 payments were
approved in respect of retirement pensioners who, although not in
receipt of Supplementary Pension, would have been so entitled
had they chosen to apply. These additional costs are borne jointly
by the local authority and the Government as provided in Section
95(7) of the Housing Act, 1964, and the Government contribution
in these cases is also 4/7ths of the grant paid.
The Council, in respect of 61 late applications, authorised the
service of statutory notices under Section 12(2) of the Clean Air
Act, 1956.
Installations
Section 3 of the Clean Air Act requires that new furnaces not
used mainly for domestic purposes and exceeding a capacity of
55,000 B.T.Us. shall, as far as practicable, be smokeless. Any person
installing such a furnace must give prior notice to the Council and
may submit detailed plans and specifications for the Council's
approval before the works of installation commence. Forty notifications were received and six approvals were given in 1967.
One approval was given under Section 6 of the Act which, subject to certain conditions, requires that new furnaces shall be fitted
with plant to arrest grit and dust.
Pollution Recording
The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research indicated
that as the first stage of the National Survey had now been
completed, the number of atmospheric pollution measuring stations
could probably be reduced. Following consultation, the Council
considered its needs would be met by reducing the nine existing
stations to four. This decision was implemented with effect from
31st October, 1967.
The daily mean concentrations of smoke and sulphur dioxide
are calculated on readings taken at these stations. No heavy atmospheric pollution was recorded during the year.
Staff
Within the Borough a Senior Clean Air Inspector and a team
of two Clean Air Inspectors and three Technical Assistants are
employed full-time on duties in connection with atmospheric pollu-