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mice. These duties are carried out by the Rodent Officer assisted
by Rodent Operatives.
All infestations coming to light, whether by way of complaint or
otherwise, are systematically investigated and appropriate action
is taken. Where the cause of the trouble is obviously defective
drains or other defects in the building, the owner is called upon to
effect the necessary repairs. This aspect of the work involves close
co-operation between the Rodent Control Staff and the Public
Health Inspectors. In the case of private dwellings the work of
disinfestation is carried out by the Rodent Control staff without
charge, and on request at business premises, when the cost is
charged in full.
During the year, 1,391 complaints of infestation were received
in respect of which a total of 6,459 visits were made by the Rodent
Control staff.
Offensive Trades
There are two premises in the Borough at which the scheduled
offensive trade of fat-melting is carried on. The firms concerned
have been established for many years, and the trades are conducted
satisfactorily.
Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933
This Act is chiefly concerned with the distribution by sale or
otherwise of poisonous substances. The list of poisons is contained
in an Order made under the Act and is divided into two parts.
The Council are not concerned with the poisons contained in
Part I. since an " authorised seller" is a pharmacist registered
with the Pharmaceutical Society, and enforcement is entrusted to
Inspectors appointed by that Society.
Substances specified in Part II may be sold by " listed sellers
and these are persons who, on written application in a prescribed
form, and on payment of stated fees, are recorded by the Council
as " persons entitled to sell poisons in Part II of the Poisons List"
at the premises recorded on the Register. The Council are required
to enforce the Act and Orders so far as they relate to " listed
sellers" and have appointed the Public Health Inspectors as
Inspectors under the Act. At the end of the year there were 220
persons registered under the Act.
Consumer Protection Act, 1961
This Act repealed the Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act,
1952, and the Oil Burners (Standards) Act, 1960, but Regulations
made under the former Act concerning fireguards on certain heating
appliances offered for sale are still in force. Regulations have
been made concerning oil burners, specifying standards of safety,
and prohibiting the sale of oil heaters or component parts which
do not comply with the Regulations.
No contraventions of the Regulations were reported during the
year.