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Smoke Observations
Observations have been taken on all industrial chimneys in
the district and where necessary the firms operating the furnaces
have been communicated with. The causes of emission of smoke
have in all cases been due to accidental failure and in no case have
such emissions been so great as to be classified as a nuisance.
Brooks and Streams, Verminous Premises, Hairdressers and Barbers
Very little change has been made in the number of visits paid
to these headings. In the case of verminous premises there have
been less visits made, it being exceptional to find any premises
infested with vermin.
FACTORIES
During 1956 the routine visits to factories and outworkers for
the purposes of the Factories Acts have continued and in the year in
question 194 visits were made and 3 contraventions were found.
Notices were served on the occupiers of the factories and the necessary
work was carried out. The condition of the factories generally in
this area is reasonable as far as the Sections for which the local
authority are responsible. Considering that there are 99 factories
in the district the number of notices served is small.
SHOPS ACTS
Inspections made under these Acts show a slight decrease. In
the first two years a considerable amount of work was done in
forming a register of the shops and in the present year routine
visits to ensure that the Acts are being complied with have been
made. A new Shops Bill is before Parliament which makes slight
changes in several provisions but so many amendments have been
made that its final form is doubtful. Whilst it is proposed to make
earlier closing hours in this Bill, this time would still be later than
the majority of shops close in this area.
No serious contraventions of the Acts have been found during
the year and while the anomalies arising from different early closing
days in parts of the district have not yet been remedied, the necessary
preliminary work for new Early Closing Day Orders is well in hand.
HOUSING
During the year of 1956 the amount of work in this field has
increased, although the number of visits made are considerably less
than the previous year. In 1955 it will be remembered that the
main survey to obtain an estimate of the condition of housing in
the district was in progress and at that time large numbers of houses
were being visited for this purpose. In 1956 a start has been made
in implementing those findings and the preparation and detailed
inspections for Clearance Areas etc., have been started.
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