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REPORT OF THE SANITARY ADMINISTRATION
of the
DISTRICT FOR THE YEAR 1952
By G. A. Webber,
Chief Sanitary Inspector, Borough of Beckenham.
A total of 1,238 complaints relating to alleged public health
nuisances were received during 1952.
This number is a considerable decrease on the total for the previous
year, and the decrease was very noticeable in relation to complaints of
structural deterioration in the older properties.
This is undoubtedly a result of the work which has now consistently
been carried on for some years by the Department under the Housing
Act, 1936. During the year 56 houses were completely reconditioned,
and work was in progress on a further 35 at the close of the year.
This procedure, which involves a considerable amount of detailed
administrative and practical work, has gone a long way to maintaining
in an habitable state of repair, those houses which were reaching a serious
state of deterioration. It may thus fairly be recognised as a valuable
contribution to the housing problem.
An appreciation of the owners of such properties may be given.
In almost all cases, we have had their wholehearted co-operation and in
return we have where possible, responded to any reasonable request
for slight alleviation of the demands of the Notice.
It was, however, necessary to institute legal proceedings in four
instances before compliance with Notices served under the Public Health
Act, 1936, was obtained.
Certain statistical information is appended:—
Number of complaints received and investigated 1,238
Number of initial visits 5,637
Number of revisits 5,124
Number of Intimation Notices served 303
Number of Statutory Notices served 86
Nuisances Remedied.
remedied
Structural defects—external 901
Structural defects—internal 1,747
Insanitary conditions, other than vermin 64
Verminous conditions 6
Choked drains 208 •
Other drainage defects 292
Defective sanitary appliances 100
Insufficient or unsuitable water supply 8
Absence of dustbins 35
Offensive accumulations 10
3,371
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