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21
SECTION C.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
There is little that can be added to the information recorded in last year s
Annual Report.
Consequent upon the number of Sanitary Inspectors continuing to be below
establishment and the volume of complaints which must be dealt with, considerable
difficulty has been experienced during the year, and only the more urgent cases have
received attention.
It is hoped that with the completion of flats which are under construction, the
position with regard to overcrowding will be somewhat eased, but it will be some
considerable time before any appreciable improvement will be felt.
Whilst there is a shortage of Sanitary Inspectors at present, it is anticipated that
with training facilities for Inspectors being resumed, the position will improve in
the course of the next few years.
With a view to ensuring that complaints received were attended to as
expeditiously as possible, a priority scheme was introduced. By this method the
complaints were divided into three categories, viz.: A. B. and C., and the Inspectors
instructed to arrange inspections according to the category of the complaint and thus
ensure that the most serious ones received earliest attention. In spite of this
arrangement, all complaints did not receive initial attention owing to the depleted
number of Inspectors and the volume of complaints requiring attention. The
re-visiting of premises in order to follow up Notices which were served by the
Inspectors was also required to be carried out in the order of priority.
During the year the question of the clearance of bombed sites was one which
received considerable attention, particularly in view of many complaints which were
being received by this Department. Difficulty was caused by fly-tippers and much
of the deposits and accumulations could not be considered as falling within the
definition for Statutory Nuisance, and therefore no action could be taken by this
Department. Where any accumulation was alleged to exist on such sites, arrangements
were made for the Sanitary Inspector to visit and confirm the existence of a
nuisance. Upon receipt of such a report details were passed to the Cleansing
Superintendent who arranged for the accumulation to be removed. This arrangement
has worked satisfactorily, the cost has not been excessive and has prevented
accumulation of putrescible material further decomposing and being a breeding ground
for flies, rats, etc.
As a result of the abnormal spell of hot weather experienced during the summer
months the problem? relative to fly nuisance were very pronounced. A particularly
heavy infestation occurred at one of the railway sidings in the Borough but with the
co-operation of the Railway officials and others concerned the nuisance was soon
overcome.
The problem of vermin infested houses also became more acute, but with the
application of D.D.T., premises were efficiently dealt with.
Due to the deterioration in the condition of property generally and certain
publicity which was given in the Borough, there was a considerable increase in the
number of Certificates issued under the Rent & Mortgage Restrictions Act.