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20. GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH MEASURES

Action taken as a result of complaints resulted in 7,803 inspections of premises
of all types and the service of 1,256 informal notices under the Public Health Acts
and allied legislation. This informal action generally brought a satisfactory response
and most requirements of the notices were dealt with in a reasonable time by the
persons responsible. It was necessary, however, to serve 832 statutory notices in
cases where action to remedy defects was not readily forthcoming and in the case of 18
premises, legal proceedings were necessary, involving the service of 21 summonses.
Of these 21 cases, 5 were withdrawn before the hearings on compliance, and in 3 cases
agreed costs were paid to the Council. Nuisance Orders were made in 10 cases and
defendants ordered to pay costs, and fines and costs were imposed in 3 other cases.
No nuisance order was made in one case as the work was done before the hearing, but
costs of £10 were granted. Non-compliance with a notice requiring information as to
ownership led to a fine and costs being imposed. The remaining case was adjourned
sine die. Total fines imposed amounted to £30 and costs to £93.12s.0d. The owners
of 4 houses in Acton appealed to the Magistrates against a notice served requiring
drainage works. The appeal was disallowed and an order was made apportioning the cost
of the works.
A total of 3,849 repairs and improvements were carried out as a result of informal
and formal action under the Public Health and Housing Acts. The most numerous items
involved were the cleansing and repair of 1,106 drains and water closets, abatement of
dampness in 393 cases, the removal of 375 accumulations of refuse and repair of 283
walls and ceilings, and 243 roofs.
DESTRUCTION OF PIGEONS - PUBLIC HEALTH ACT, 1961
The contract with a firm specialising in the destruction of pigeons was renewed,
and the continuation of this work resulted in the destruction of 3,390 feral pigeons.
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