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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Mr. A. J. Phillips, Chief Public Health Inspector, reports:
The year has meant many changes and from April 1st the Public Health Inspectors
have to accustom themselves to new boundaries and to considerable alteration in
law and procedure. The principal changes included the repeal of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1936 and the use of the Public Health Acts 1936 and 1961, operative
in the rest of the Country, the repeal of much of the General Powers Acts and the
fact that all the existing combined drains became classed as public sewers. It is
hoped that some early action can be taken to remedy the deficiency which exist in
the new procedure for dealing with urgent nuisances.
Offices, Shops and Railway Premises
A shortage of qualified health inspectors made the undertaking of work much
more difficult and whilst 371 initial visits were made to premises under the Act,
this was not a very high figure bearing in mind the number of premises which were
or should be registered and it is hoped that a greater effort can be made during 1966.
In those premises inspected it was found in most cases that the occupiers were cooperative
in remedying the faults. Accidents reported during the year were fortunately
of a minor character.
Clean Air
Four areas became operative during the year under review and this entailed a
considerable number of cases being dealt with and although some delay occurred,
the claims were dealt with as quickly as possible. There was a noticeable increase
in the number of applications for gas fires in preference to solid fuel appliances.
Food
There were less imports at Hither Green Continental Depot during the year but
the amount of unsound food was slightly in excess.
On the whole the results of the analysis of samples was satisfactory. One adulteration
found was due to the use of a colouring matter not permitted in this country.
Samples of milk were satisfactory but some of the ice-creams were in the lower
grades.
Complaints of food sold containing foreign bodies or in poor condition were at
about the same level as previous years. Legal proceedings were instituted in most
cases. There were again a number of complaints of dirty milk bottles and some
special attention to this problem is called for.
Housing
There are many inter-related factors and overlapping of technical functions involved
in the various aspects of Housing work. These, when considered separately,
fall into five main groups, viz; repairs, compulsory improvements, multiple occupation,
Council mortgages and the grant aided improvement schemes. In any
particular property a combination of procedures under the several statutes may be
required. It follows that to achieve a satisfactory result, it is a distinct advantage
to have, as is the case in this Borough, the control of all the technical functions.
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