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REPORT ON THE SANITARY ADMINSTRATION
of the
DISTRICT FOR THE YEAR 1951.
By G. A. Webber,
Chief Sanitary Inspector, Borough of Beckenham.
This is the seventh Annual Report which I have had the privilege
of submitting.
I would first like to refer to the resignation of Dr. T. Philips Cole,
the Borough's Medical Officer of Health from 1927 until his
retirement in June, 1951.
It was not until 1944 that I was to know him and to work under
his direction, but I remember gratefully the seven years of our
association, particularly the first years of my service with the Borough,
when he gave me every encouragement to introduce the fresh methods
and organisation which are inevitably associated with the appointment
of a new Officer.
I shall not forget his friendliness, nor his dignity as a Chief
Officer; his ability to talk and his willingness to listen on the subject
of Public Health; his excellent memory, which so frequently helped me,
and indeed, many others; his guidance in the management of staff, and
his unfailing kindness to all whatever their station in life: the serenity
of mind which he exhorted us all to achieve, is now, we hope, his well
deserved prize.
There has been no change in the personnel of the Sanitary
Inspector's staff during the year.
2,041 complaints were received, an increase of 422 compared with
1950. This is largely accounted for by the steady rise in the number of
complaints of rat and mouse infestation in local properties. The subject
is dealt with separately in this Report.
Our work under the Housing Acts has proceeded apace. The number
of insanitary conditions remedied has increased considerably because of
this work. During the year 85 houses were completely reconditioned
and work was in progress on 15 others at the close of the year. To date
the cost of works executed by Owners in compliance with Notices
served by this Council exceeds £40,000. Even allowing for the greatly
increased cost of labour and materials, this sum reflects the scope of our
activities to render our dwellings fit for habitation, and 'he work, has
never, I feel, been unreasonably requested. Had this been the case
(and I regret to say the suggestion did come from an unexpected
quarter) I feel sure the very fair rights of appeal given to an Owner by
the Housing Acts would have been exercised. These powers of appeal
are fully explained at the time of the service of Notices.
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