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26
Arising out of complaints received concerning a nuisance from pigeons at a
school in the borough arrangements were made for the premises to be cleared by an
authorised pigeon catcher. The ready co-operation of the owners of a nearby
factory was obtained and the pigeon nuisance reduced to a minimum.
As a result of repeated complaints being received alleging that nuisance from
effluvia emanated from a factory situated in a densely populated area of the borough,
and in which animal blood was processed, the Sanitary Inspectors kept observations
over a long period and confirmed the existence of a nuisance which affected residents
over a considerable area. Legal proceedings were taken under the appropriate
section of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, and at the time of the hearing
the Company gave an undertaking to the Court that steps would be taken to ensure
that the nuisance would not recur. Fines were imposed and the Council awarded
costs.
In December of this year the London County Council (General Powers) Act,
1955, received Royal Assent and came into operation immediately. This statute,
inter alia, considerably strengthens the power of Metropolitan Borough Councils in
relation to stopped up or defective drains. It also gives power to these authorities
to reinstate a water supply where the Metropolitan Water Board, by reason of a
defective state of the supply pipe or the absence or defective state of fittings, cease
to supply with water specified buildings used for human habitation of a place where
persons are employed, and to recover the costs incurred.
Additional powers are also given to the sanitary authority to remedy defects
where a house is in such a state as to be a nuisance or injurious or dangerous to
health and, having regard to all the circumstances, unreasonable delay in remedying
the defects stated would be occasioned by following the normal statutory procedure.
By virtue of Section 18 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act,
1954, the Council is empowered to register hairdressers and barbers and their
premises and to make byelaws for hygienic conditions in such premises. Local
byelaws were approved by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government during
the year and came into operation on 1st October. The appointed day for registration
is 1st January, 1956.
Summary of Work done by District Sanitary Inspectors.
During the year 32,642 inspections or revisits were made by the District Sanitary
Inspectors. In connection with visits to dwelling-houses, 38,143 inspections or
re-inspections of separate lettings were made.