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response to informal notices is received.
Cleanl iness
Apart from a few isolated cases, the general standard of cleanliness in
registered premises is quite a reasonable one. The use of laminated plastics
and other modern methods of finishing internal surfaces in recently converted
and newly erected premises, has helped a great deal in this respect.
Overcrowd i ng
Only five minor cases of overcrowding were dealt with during the year.
It is gratifying to note that enforcement of the Act has virtually put an
end to the several bad cases of overcrowding which were found during the
initial inspections made after the commencement of the Act in 1964.
Preventative measures are initiated by making use of the information
contained in pians submitted with applications made under the Drainage Bye-laws.
Where it appears that a case of overcrowding might occur in a premises that is
to be altered or newly occupied, the matter is immediately taken up with the
applicant's architect.
Temperature
Thanks to the relatively mild weather conditions enjoyed in the South East
of England in recent winters, complaints with regard to insufficient heating
have been kept to a minimum.
Difficulty is sometimes experienced in administering this Section
of the Act in the many wholesale premises in the Borough, where much of
the floor area is taken up with the storage of stock, and is only in occupation
by members of the staffs for short periods. Judgement is also necessary to
achieve reasonable comfortable conditions for staffs inbutchers' and other food
premises, and, at the same time, not to risk spoilage of foodstuffs.
Ventilation
The task of maintaining adequate ventilation without the loss of security
in registered premises continues to be a problem. Shops occupying the ground
floors under blocks of flats have been found to be the most frequent victims
of 'break-ins' or vandalism, and it is difficult to insistonoptimum conditions
to an occupier whose premises have been a recent target for such an attack, The
installation of a system of mechanical ventilation is often accepted in these
instances, in spite of the fact that it is liable to mechanical failure,or
sometimes not switched on.
Lighting
Offices are generally adequately lit, so too are the serving areas
of shops, but this is not always the case in back rooms, stockrooms,.stairs
and passages. The acceptable minimum values detailed in the relevant Department
of Employment Circular are so low as to preclude legal enforcement, but every
effort is made to encourage the provision of lighting in accordance with the
desirable values recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society.
Sanitary Conveniences
Lack of cleanliness and simple minor lack of maintenance, such as the
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