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materials used. Regulations made under the Act prescribe standards of cleanliness
for filling materials.
No samples of filling materials were obtained from registered premises this
year. The prescribed Analyst who has tested our samples in the past was unable to
continue owing to a dispute with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government as to the
amount of fees payable for testing.
Premises registered for the use of filling materials number 31, there being no
licensed premises.
REFRESHMENT HOUSES
In connection with the provisions of Section 89 of the Public Health Act, 1936
and Section 80 of the Public Health Act, 1961 relating to sanitary conveniences in
refreshment houses. 12 notices were served during the year requiring the provision
of sanitary accommodation to comply with the Council's standards.
REFUSE DISPOSAL
A stoppage of work by Council employees again occurred in the autumn resulting
in a disruption of the refuse collection services. As a consequence the Health
Department received numerous complaints of nuisance from refuse accumulations in
blocks of flats, on pavements and on highways and of the presence of insects and rats.
Accumulations of offensive refuse in certain street markets of the borough were
declared hazards to heal th by the Medical Officer of Health, and the Council thereupon
took steps to have the refuse removed. Later, when further accumulations of refuse
could not be removed by approved contractors, the guidance of central government had
to be sought. Assistance from troops on one occasion enabled certain health hazards
to be disposed of overnight.
The Cleansing Officer of the Council has kindly supplied some statistics re1ating
to refuse disposal for the year, given on page 117.
RENT ACT, 1968
No applications under the Rent Act 1968 were received for certificates of
disrepair during this year. One application for cancellation of certificate was
refused.
RODENT CONTROL
In accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Food statistics on rodent control work for surface infestations carried out by
the department during the year were submitted to the Ministry. In this period out
of 4,533 dwellings and other premises requiring inspection 3,950 were found to be
infested wi th mi ce or rats. Treatments were carried out by the department's rodent control
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