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Few food poisoning incidents were severe enough to be reported.
It must be remembered that food when imported and canned may
accidentally become the vehicle for the enteric and salmonella infections
but therapy in the treatment of these diseases has made great
strides.
Old Peoples Welfare
A comprehensive and up-to-date report on these Services is
included in this report and it will show the progress that is taking place
in at least two directions—the Meals Service and the provision of
housing accommodation as the result of the joint efforts of the
Beckenham Old Peoples Welfare Committee, the Abbeyfield Society
and the Borough Council.
Voluntary Organisations
The activities of many voluntary organisations are mentioned in
the reports on old people's welfare, the work of the Tuberculosis Care
Committee and of the Women's Voluntary Service and the splendid
efforts of these organisations is greatly appreciated.
Home Safety and Accident Prevention
The " Tufty Clubs " provide for instruction to children under
five years of age and the report will show that in their first year in
Beckenham they have been very successful. There has been a reduction
of over 250 in accidents to children in their homes.
Pollution from Smoke
Most satisfactory progress can be recorded in the survey of a
further 2,500 dwellings to establish a second Smoke Control Area in
Beckenham.
No action has been required to deal with any nuisance from a
domestic chimney and statutory powers have been used to enable
householders who had delayed the installation of approved appliances
to do so with a much smaller grant and with no choice. Grant aid was
given to needy cases.
The general beneficial effect of this work is already apparent in the
south of the Borough, where the clean and clear air and the absence of
smoke haze is noticeable on winter afternoons.
Following the advice of a Consultant of the National Coal Board,
the co-operation of the owner and the supervision of the Health
Department a source of industrial smoke was very considerably
minimised and the Committee were satisfied that all practicable means
had been taken to control this air pollution.
Caravan Site and Control of Development (1960)
The Committee considered model standards on health and fire
precautions prepared under the above Act and visited a site in the
Borough. A conditional licence was issued and the appeal which
ultimately went to the High Court on a point of law was given in
favour of the Council.