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In 1959 it was considered that the increase in the volume of work
of the department would necessitate an addition to the staff and in
the Council's estimates for 1960 an allowance for this was made. In
1960 it became evident that the increase would have to be made; the
appointment was advertised and subsequently Mr. J. P. McCormack
was appointed as Public Health Inspector in September.
The problem of requisitioned houses was solved in 1960 and it was
possible to increase the routine inspections with a view to dealing with
the unfit houses in the district. Five clearance areas were represented
to the Council during the year details of which may be seen in the
report on Housing. Whilst the number of houses dealt with in this
year is only eight more than in 1959 a considerable amount of spade
work has been done in regard to the inspection and survey of the
houses remaining on the schedule of unfit premises. It is apparent
that several of the houses scheduled in 1955 as suitable for demolition
should now be considered either as capable of repair or in some cases
due to the amount of work carried out by owner/occupiers may even
be removed from this schedule entirely.
The summer was an extremely poor one but the number of wasp
nests which had to be dealt with was 147. In the report on this section
the matter is dealt with more fully and the new arrangements which
the Council have agreed to are detailed.
The number of visits made under the Food Hygiene Regulations
remains very similar to previous years, indicating that in spite of
the volume of work under other categories this very important duty
has not been neglected. Sampling under the Food and Drugs Act
has also continued and complaints received were fully investigated and
in two cases of complaint successful proceedings were instituted. A
detailed report on this subject may be found in the body of the report.
In conclusion I would express my thanks to every member of the
Public Health Department, with particular reference to my Deputy,
Mr. S. C. Smith. In spite of what has been in some ways a rather
trying year the staff of the department have given me every support
and have made a successful effort to cope with an exceedingly heavy
volume of work.
I also wish to thank all other officers of the Council for their
assistance and co-operation.
W. K. Pickup,
Chief Public Health Inspector.
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