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69
Rag Flock and other Filling Materials Act, 1951
Under the provisions of this Act, various types of premises concerned
with the upholstery trade or with the provision of materials for that trade
must be registered or licensed with the local authority.
At the end of the year, seven premises were on the register; one licenoe
was issued for the use of premises for storage purposes.
Noise Nuisance
Complaints received 75
Investigations made 120
Notices served 11
During 1963, complaints were received of noise caused by the
following:—
Compressors, pneumatic drills, machinery, building and demolition
operations; cement mixer, crane, dismantling scaffolding; ventilating
machinery, boiler, factory; radio, music and singing, and
other noises, including those from cars arriving at and leaving clubs
and dance halls; customers arriving at and leaving public houses;
the yapping of dogs; taxis; chiming of bells; and banging by other
tenants.
Powers to deal with noise nuisance are contained in the Public Health
(London) Act, 1936, the London County Council (General Powers) Act,
1937, the Noise Abatement Act, 1960, and byelaws relating to Good Rule
and Government. Previously some of these powers had been delegated
by the Council to the Public Health Committee and some to the General
Purposes Committee.
During 1961 it was agreed that, to facilitate investigation and enforcement
of remedies, and to simplify administration, all the Council's powers
relating to the abatement of noise should be delegated to the Public
Health Committee.
In a built-up area, large-scale demolition and building operations,
such as those being undertaken at several sites in Westminster, must
inevitably result in noise and annoyance being caused to residents of
neighbouring dwellings, offices and shops. It was necessary for statutory
action to be started during 1963 in regard to some such cases and there
were also several occasions on which strong warnings were given to
contractors, reminding them of their duty to carry out their operations
with the minimum amount of noise and annoyance consistent with their
activities.
Eleven notices under the Noise Abatement Act, I960, were served
during 1963 in respect of the following matters:—
Four in connection with compressors used on building sites.
One in connection with works of demolition.