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SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
New legislation brought added duties and responsibilities to the Department. The
Public Health (London) Act, 1936. was replaced by the Public Health Acts. 1936 and
1961. This brought some disadvantages, however, as in certain instances the powers
given to previous Metropolitan Boroughs were lost. These included:-
1. the power to unstop or repair a drain in default, at a cost not exceeding
£100. The limit was reduced to £50, which was undoubtedly too low;
2. the power to execute works to restore a defective water service cut off
by the Metropolitan Water Board;
3. the power to abate nuisances requiring urgent attention, in default;
4. the power to require a sufficient supply of water within a tenement
house;
5. the power to require an adequate and readily accessible supply of
water for drinking purposes direct from the main supply to any building
or part of a building occupied as a separate tenement;
6. the power to require the registration of Barbers and Hairdressers.
It is hoped that these powers will be reinstated as soon as possible.
Certain public control functions carried out by the former London County Council
were transferred to the Inspectorate. Details of these and the work done under the
appropriate legislation are given on Page 48-49 Both the Inspectorate and the
Administrative staff were quick to adapt themselves to the changed conditions although
difficulties were encountered in the transition period. The establishment of
inspectors remained under strength throughout the year. There were ten vacant positions
at the close of the year in question.
A new section dealing with the administration of the Offices, shops and Railway
Premises Act, 1963, and the various Shops Acts was set up. A full report of the work
carried out is given on pages 37-45
Vacant sites and derelict buildings continued to be a problem throughout the year.
Numberous complaints were received of refuse being deposited on sites and of the
misuse of buildings by vagrants and children. Experience showed that as soon as these
nuisances ware abated they recurred. The answer is the speedy redevelopment of sites.
Difficulty of access - in many cases both husband and wife being at work
frequently caused inspectors to make further fruitless visits to properties. It was
then necessary for a further visit to be made outside working hours. There were
indications that the number of immigrants from all parts of the world, but particularly
from the Commonwealth, continued to rise. Due to their circumstances, they gave rise to
a high proportion of complaints in relation to their numbers, particularly in such
matters as over-crowding and the absence or mis-use of essential amenities. There was
also the problem of communication which was not only a question of language but also
the difficulty of words being given different meanings. The presence, in the Department
of an inspector who speaks fluent French, Spanish and Greek was of considerable
assistance in overcoming these difficulties.