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major problem are dealt with by the Health Committee,
are in some respects adopting a wholly logical attitude.
As the Council will be aware, a good deal of the time
of the Public Health Inspectors is taken up, not only
in dealing with housing queries, e.g. overcrowding,
the need for council housing because of the existence
of conditions detrimental to the health of one or more
members of the family, etc., but also with the abatement
of nuisances, most often by the issue of informal notices,
and occasionally- but never by choice- by having to
resort to the issuing of Statutory notices, sometimes
followed by Court procedure. The Public Health
'Department considers this to be an integral part of its
duty, since problems associated with housing remain at
the root of so many social evils.
It is especially pleasing to see the work
which is being carried out in Friern Parnet in relation
to the erection of new houses and flatlets, especially
when this accommodation is being made available for
tenants displaced from slum clearance areas. This
problem in the tackling of houses unfit for human
habitation is making good progeess in Friern Barnet.
It is even more pleasing to see the work
which has been undertaken in Friern Barnet in relation
to the provision of houses and flatlets specifically
designed for elderly persons. This age group has long
been overlooked and is in urgent need of special
consideration.
I cannot let this opportunity pass without
reminding the Council that the work which has fallen
to the lot of Public Health Inspectors is increasing
with.&rhythm which is sometimes frightening. Smoke
control- and a great deal of work has been done in
this field in Friern Barnet- food hygiene and housing
itself, have all either presented new problems, or
problems which have been considerably magnified. I
count myself extremely fortunate that I have an excellent
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