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existed. If the multiple occupation is of recent inception or if the Borough Surveyor's
Town Planning Section is investigating the case no further action is taken by the
Department until the need for Town Planning action has been decided.
This procedure is most important as it is obviously undesirable to seek the improvement
of premises where a proper right of use in multiple occupation does not exist.
When it is plain that Town Planning action will not be prejudiced a detailed inspection
is made of those premises where facilities and conditions are seen to require
improvement.
An inspection is also made with a representative of the Middlesex County Council
Fire Brigade upon whose report the requirements under Section 16 of the Act are
based.
Informal notices are then served on the owner or person having control of the
premises requesting the provision of such additional facilities and improvements in
the means of escape in case of fire as appear necessary having regard to the number
of persons in occupation.
Regular reports are made to the Public Health Committee and the service of formal
notices under Sections 15 and 16 of the Housing Act, 1961 is authorised where
necessary.
Authority is also obtained at the same time for the execution of the required works
in the event of the owners default and for the recovery of the costs.
Liaison with the Housing and Town Planning sections of the Borough Surveyor's
Department is close and much valuable advice and assistance has been given to the
Department by the Chief Fire Prevention Officer of the Middlesex County Council
and his staff, and I would like to record my gratitude for this.
It is too early at this stage to take stock of the effectiveness of our efforts to improve
the standard of these premises. What is already clear, however, is that it will require
much time consuming work over many years before it can be said that the problem in
the Borough is under strict control.
BATHS AND SWIMMING POOLS
The Council's baths in Longfield Avenue contain four indoor swimming pools.
The water is drawn from the mains of the Metropolitan Water Board and is completely
circulated in all four pools every four hours. The treatment plant provides for
flocculation with alum and soda ash prior to filtration, combined with continuous
marginal chlorination of the water as it is drawn from the pools and on its return.
The Baths Manager makes tests at frequent intervals each day to ensure that a satisfactory
level of residual chlorine is maintained. In addition 75 samples were taken by
the Department during the year and sent for bacteriological examination. Of these
75 samples 68 were found to be entirely satisfactory. The seven doubtful samples
consisted of six taken very early in the season, and of one taken in November. It is
understood that the Council has taken preliminary steps to replace the present
chlorinating equipment with more modern machinery.
A private swimming pool operated by a local industrial firm in Greenford was
sampled on two occasions during the year and results were satisfactory.
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