London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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East Barnet 1953

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Barnet]

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Cast Barnet Urban District Council
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF SANITARY INSPECTOR
FOR THE YEAR 1953
To the Chairman and Members of the
East Barnet Urban District Council
I have the honour to present my second report to the Council.
Redrafting of the form of the report has been carried out as
mentioned by the Medical Officer of Health and I hope will
meet with approval.
The total number of visits and the amount of work carried out
varies very little year by year, but the distribution of these visits
over the various headings alters slightly owing to the nature of
the complaints received. An effort is made to ensure that whatever
variations may take place in other subjects that the visits to the
food premises are maintained at a high level.
This year twelve houses have been represented to the Council
under Section 11 of the Housing Act, 1936, as unfit houses, incapable
of being rendered fit at a reasonable expense. This does
not represent an active start on the housing problem, but consists
of those dwellings which normal routine brought to light and
where action was unavoidable.
The Housing (Repairs and Rents) Bill states that a survey of the
housing conditions of the district shall be made and a report of
those conditions together with suggested action submitted to the
Minister within one year of the passing of the bill. The carrying out
of the details of the provision will ensure that the problem of
sub-standard houses is vigorously tackled during the following year.
During 1954 the Council will become a Food and Drugs and
Shops Act authority which will cause considerable additional work
for the Public Health department. This, combined with the extra
duties under the Housing (Repairs and Rents) Bill when it becomes
law, will probably require an increase in the staff of the department,
if standards in other fields are to be maintained.
In conclusion I wish to tender my thanks to other officers of the
Council and members of the staff for assistance and co-operation
throughout the year.
W. K. PICKUP.
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