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of the Act re-enacts the provisions which applied in Metropolitan
Boroughs before the reorganisation of London government which
state that no person may carry on a business as a hairdresser or
barber at any premises unless he is registered in respect of those
premises by the borough council. These provisions are not effective
until the borough council passes a resolution fixing an " appointed
day " for commencement, and this matter is to be considered by
the Health Committee in the forthcoming year.
Bye-laws which lay down standards of cleanliness in hairdressers'
and barbers' establishments were introduced by this Council in
1966 and are being enforced by the public health inspectors; in
this connection, 164 inspections of hairdressers' premises were
made during the year.
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949
This Act gives the Council power to require steps to be taken to
eradicate and, where possible, to prevent infestation by rats and
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, 2,262 complaints of infestation were received
in respect of which a total of 6,884 visits were made by the Rodent
Control staff.
Offensive Trades
There is one establishment in the Borough at which the
scheduled offensive trade of fat-melting is carried on. The firm
concerned has been established for many years and the trade is
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.