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Tents, Vans and Sheds
This year there have not been any applications under the
provisions of the Public Health Act, 1936, Section 269.
Gypsies, who pull their vans on to any open land, have been
a continual source of annoyance to residents in the neighbourhood.
The Council's building sites have been a favourite camping ground.
A determined effort, including the impounding of horses, has been
made to mitigate this nuisance.
National Assistance Act, 1948
Section 47.
The surveillance of elderly persons who are unable properly
to look after themselves continues to receive the attention of the
department. Where removal was necessary the voluntary agreement
of the person was obtained in each case and the removal
arranged through the County Welfare Department.
Section 50.
Two persons (male 81 years and female 64 years) were buried
under the provisions of this section.
Laundry Service for the Incontinent Aged
This service, operated under the provisions of the Public
Health Act, 1936, Section 84, commenced in December, 1953.
It continues to meet a real need in the home when help is usually
urgently required. Soiled articles are collected, and laundered
articles returned each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. A small
metal bin is provided in the home for the reception of soiled
articles after they have been rinsed in cold water.
The service continues to work well and there has been no
known abuse of the facilities provided. The co-operation of the
laundry staff at Barking Hospital continues to be excellent.
From the commencement of the service to the end of the year
103 cases received assistance. During this year, 19 cases died, 14
were removed to hospital or no longer required the service and
nine were still participating at the end of the year. The number
of articles laundered during the year was 8,551.
Atmospheric Pollution
There was no need for statutory action during the year, but
systematic observations were made of the chimneys of industrial
premises.
Certain provisions of the Clean Air Act, 1956, were brought
into operation on the 31st December, 1956.
The Council continue to operate at the Civic Centre and in
the vicinity of Valence House instruments for the measurement
of air pollution.
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