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The Council continues to take part in the National Survey on Air Pollution
and takes readings at the eight stations in the Borough. The readings are
transmitted to the Ministry for their use. One hopes the ultimate result will
show the definite improvement one so often fails to see when comparing readings
over short periods. The position is always changing, solid fuel gives way to
other forms of heating, this and the natural expansion can all too easily give
misleading results.
NOISE ABATEMENT ACT, 1960
This continues to be a most difficult problem, possibly arising from
the rush and bustle of present day life which causes some people to react
to noise in a manner that bears no real relationship to the measurable
volume.
It is, at present, impossible to translate noise in terms of nuisance
as the problem is complicated by the pitch of the noise which can cause
a source of low volume to be a real nuisance. A small whine can often cause
more trouble than a passing train.
Elaborate and expensive equipment, at the present stage of development,
serves little purpose. Personal reactions to a noise nuisance and action based
on it seem to be the most effective means of dealing with the problem.
RAG FLOCK AND OTHER FILLING MATERIALS ACT. 1951
There is only one premises in the Borough registered under Section 2
of the Act.
Eight informal samples were taken from premises during the year, all
of which were satisfactory. The details are as follows:-
Material Number of Samples
Submitted for Analysis
Cotton Felt 4
Kapok 2
Sisal 2
PET ANIMALS ACT, 1951
11 licences to keep pet shops were issued during the year. The amount
of livestock generally kept is very small. No breaches of the licensing
conditions occurred during the year.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949
The service given under this Act continued throughout the year. There
is nothing of any moment to report. The sewers remain rat-free and the surface
infestations appear to be kept well under control. Happily, Warfarin
resistance has not yet spread to this Borough so we still have the use of the
best practical method of keeping this problem under control until, perhaps,
who knows, rats and mice may yet be exterminated completely.
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