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Two old-established but unsatisfactory sites within the Borough are scheduled
to be replaced by a fully equipped residential site provided and controlled by the
Council. In September the Minister held a public inquiry into the Council's proposals
and at the end of the year the result was still awaited. Meanwhile, the
Minister is not prepared to agree to Discontinuance Orders on the existing unsatisfactory
sites.
Open spaces and wide grass verges on the arterial road in the area continue to
attract itinerant caravans, particularly during the Spring and Summer months, when
they are en route from one place of casual employment to another.
Complaints continue to be received from residents in the vicinity concerning
the annoyance caused by these itinerants and their dogs and the deplorable state
in which they invariably leave the site.
Under the provisions of the North West London (General Powers) Act, 1965,
Court proceedings can be instituted to effect their removal from the site, with the
consequence, of course, that they move to another unauthorised site in the Borough
or neighbouring authority.
Considerable time is spent by the public health inspectors in dealing with these
itinerants. Summonses were served on four occasions but before prosecutions
could be taken the caravans were gone.
CANAL BOATS
Provisions in relation to health are made in Sections 249-258 of the Public
Health Act, 1936, as amended by Section 79 of the Public Health Act, 1961.
The Lee Navigation runs through the eastern extremity of the Borough from
north to south.
The canal boats using this waterway for the transport of goods are not
residential and do not therefore require registration for public health purposes.
SHOPS AND OFFICES
The Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963, is designed to raise standards
of working conditions so as to promote the health, welfare and safety of the
employees.
Broadly, it gives to these workers protection similar to that already afforded
the factory worker by the Factories Acts.
Enforcement of the provisions of the Act, in relation to Crown property,
local authority premises, railway premises, and offices and shops in factories
covered by the Factories Act, 1961, is the responsibility of Her Majesty's Factory
Inspectorate. Responsibility in respect of all other shops and offices is vested in
local authorities.
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