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7
of standard housing accommodation with very minor alterations seems
feasible. This is being pursued but comes unfortunately at a time when
few large scale housing developments are being planned. The need for
more residential places was a constant problem.
Clean Air
The programme of an additional smoke control area every year was
maintained. As an outer London borough with initially less smoke pollution
than the central districts, our anticipated completion date for the
whole of Croydon is later than that of the majority. Nevertheless substantial
progress has been made in our northern more densely populated wards,
with unquestionable benefit. A proposal of the Greater London Council to
build a refuse incinerator in Sutton, immediately on the western boundary
of the borough was therefore viewed with some concern. The problems of
refuse disposal are understood, but the burning of 1,200 tons or more a day
in a single incinerator raised possibilities of serious air pollution. No comparable
plant was operating in this country, and reports were obtained from
Holland and France. A plant in Paris was inspected and reassuring reports
were received. 'As a choice between two evils, it was decided that
with adequate safeguards this method of refuse disposal could be accepted.
Fluoridation of Water Supplies
Owing to the number of different sources of supply and the mixing of
water from these separate sources to meet varying demands, there would be
added technical difficulties and expense if Croydon attempted fluoridation
in advance of adjoining areas. Although accepting the general principle the
Corporation proposed no action pending agreement of other authorities.
Future Developments
It is clear that far reaching changes in the administration of the health
services are now probable. Close co-operation has been achieved in Croydon
during the last 20 years especially in the former county borough area. This
has been shown to be possible, with the support of the Regional Hospital
Board, when the Hospital Management Committee has a catchment area roughly
co-terminous with the Local Health Authority dealing with personal health
services. Consequently the proposals of the "Green paper" which disregarded
this fact were viewed with much concern. The alternative now emerging of a
two tier structure retaining a second level authority representing a joint
hospital and local authority unit, would use advantages gained in areas where
success has been achieved under existing legislation.
Staff
Problems of recruitment were eased by the Council's policy of secondment
for training, and the establishment of local training courses, but difficulties
persisted, especially in the Public Health Inspectors section. Miss
Oakley the first Principal Nursing Officer appointed to this post retired