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HOUSING ACT, 1936, PART II, SECTION 9.
Repair of Insanitary Houses.
Owing to the high cost of repairs, it is very difficult to operate this
Section under present day circumstances.
The Council does not usually undertake the work under Section 9
where the Owner in capable of doing so himself, as it may take many
years to recover the cost from him.
The average estimated cost per house of complying with the Section
9 notices served since 1949 amounts to no less than £535.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES.
There are no common lodging houses in the Borough.
WATER SUPPLY.
The Borough's water supply is provided entirely by the Metropolitan
Water Board and has been satisfactory in quality and quantity.
All the dwelling-houses in the Borough are supplied from public water
mains direct to the houses. There are no wells or stand pipes.
RODENT AND PEST CONTROL.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949.
The above Act came into force on the 3rd March, 1950. It repealed
the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919, and substantially strengthens
the powers of the local authority in dealing with the control of pests.
The Council employ two rodent operators. Complaints of other
pests and vermin are dealt with by the disinfecting staff.
The number of complaints of rodents received during the year was
545 of which 169 related to rats and 376 to mice. The figures for 1951
were 727, of which 308 were rats and 419 mice infestations.
One summons for failure to give notice of infestation of mice at
food premises resulted in the offender being fined £2 2s.
Other pest infestations dealt with related to ants, bugs, cockroaches,
fleas, flies, lice, pigeons, wasps, wood lice and woodworm.
Charges for Rodent Extermination.
The Public Health Committee resolved that, until otherwise decided,
no charge be made for the destruction of rats and mice by the Council
at private premises, except in cases where, as a result of the lack of cooperation
on the part of the owner or occupier, it was found necessary
to serve a notice under Section 4 of the Act.
Besides relieving the Department of much administrative work, this
decision has materially assisted the staff in dealing speedily with complaints
of rodent infestation.
Charges continue to be made, in accordance with the Ministry's
request, in respect of all infestations at business premises.