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25
Paid Pupillage
The Report of the Working Party mentioned above recommended that the
system of paid pupillage for Public Health Inspectors should be extended with the
prospect of its ultimately becoming the normal avenue of entry, except for ex-Service
candidates, and that practical training for student inspectors should be obtained in
the service of local authorities approved for the purpose. This Council has for some
years appreciated the basic importance of encouraging the training of student
inspectors and has offered full training facilities. The Council commenced its own
training scheme for student inspectors in 1948, and since that time 17 students have
been fully trained, all of whom have been successful in passing the qualifying
examination. The number in training at the end of this year was 5. During their
training the students receive payment on an agreed basis as if they were members
of the general clerical staff, and they are given full facilities for attending lectures,
demonstrations, etc., as well as being given comprehensive training within the
Department.
While progress has continued throughout the century, the work of the Public
Health Inspectors has increased. A large proportion of the property in the Borough
is more than a hundred years old and in many cases obsolescent, is in marked degree
of disrepair and deterioration, and lacks the amenities and comforts of modern
housing.
The current problems of the department are aggravated by a national shortage
of Public Health Inspectors. In common with other Metropolitan Boroughs,
Islington has suffered from the lack of Inspectors over a long period, and whilst
every endeavour is made to cope with routine and day-to-day matters, a depleted
staff is bound to have effect both on the department and the residents in the
Borough.
Legislation is increasing and the already onerous responsibilities devolving on
the Council are being added to continuously. It was, therefore, only the co-operation
and diligence of the Inspectorate that allowed the work to be carried out as
satisfactorily as it was.
In August the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1956, came into
operation, Section 63 of which empowers Metropolitan Borough Councils to make
byelaws with respect to tenement houses and flats for the adequate artificial lighting of
common staircases. To some extent the powers under Section 61 of the London
County Council (General Powers) Act, 1927, which were revoked by the Public
Health (London) Act, 1936, and the Tenement House Byelaws, which were
rendered inoperable by the passing of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954,
have been restored, but byelaws have yet to be made.
Consequent upon the exceptionally heavy rains which fell during July, surcharging
of certain sewers in the Borough occurred and caused a number of premises
to be flooded. This was particularly serious in at least one area. After the storms
had abated a layer of crude sewage remained under the floor boards and in the rooms.
Everything possible was done by the Department to alleviate the distress of the residents
concerned.
Complaints of noise nuisance continue to be received and are usually resolved
by informal action. In this age of mechanisation the problem of noise is a real one.
Power sewing machines installed at home can be a source of nuisance to residents in
other parts of the house, particularly if the machines are operated without due care
and outside normal working hours.
During the year, complaints were received in respect of nuisance from pigeons
at two schools, certain factories and areas in the Borough. In accordance with the