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3,422 visits were made to investigate complaints and on 1,088 occasions it was found that conditions
existed which warranted action under Part III of the Public Health Act, 1936 to secure the abatement of
statutory nuisances. In 279 instances it was necessary to serve statutory notices. Legal proceedings
were taken on 22 occasions for failure to comply with the statutory notices and 5 abatement orders were
made and fines totalling £21 were imposed together with £82 19s. Od. costs.
Diseases of Animals Act 1950
The Council is the responsible local authority under the Diseases of Animals Act. Arrangements
have been made for full co-operation with the Divisional Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food, Hertford, and plans have been made to deal with any emergency which may arise. No
emergency arose during 1966 which required any special action under this Act.
Pet Shops and Animal Boarding Establishments
23premises are licensed as pet shops and one licence was issued in respect an of animal boarding
establishment. The premises were inspected by the public health inspectors, and the Council have
arranged for any necessary veterinary supervision of the premises and animals to be carried out by
Mr. F.G. Buxton, F.R.C.V.S.
Cases were reported of scabies occurring in persons who had been in contact with puppies sold from
a pet shop in the Borough which were said to be affected with a sarcoptic mange. The Veterinary Officer
made a careful examination of the pets remaining on the premises but no infected animals were found..
The proprietor was advised on steps which should be taken to clean and disinfect the premises and
arrangements were suggested for the isolation of new litters of puppies arriving at the shop until they
had been passed as clear of infection by a veterinary surgeon.
Performing Animals
One person is registered under the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925. Periodic visits are
made by the Veterinary Officer to examine the animal to which the registration relates.
HOUSING
The inspection of premises and preparation of reports with a view to the clearance of areas of houses
unfitfor human habitation has been the main activity of the Housing Section of the Environmental Health
Division throughout the year.
The Council's clearance area programme had been previously approved. The time schedule for
representation of new areas was adhered toduring the year. Three clearance areas, Langham Road, N.15.,
Brunswick Road, N.15. and The Grove, N.8. were prepared in 1966, but could not be officially represented
to the Committee until 5th January, 1967.
Work involved in the preparation of clearance area representations included detailed inspection of
all houses in the area, a comprehensive report on each dwelling, the preparation of principal grounds of
unfitness and the obtaining of particulars of occupancy and information as to ownership. Maps defining
clearance areas were also prepared. Housing Act, Section 170 notices were issued requiring details of
all persons having interests in houses within areas recommended for action under Part III of the Housing
Act.
Below is shown the position in regard to clearance areas and Part III Compulsory Purchase Orders
as at 31st December, 1966. Numbers of houses and families in confirmed Compulsory Purchase Orders
are original figures, but considerable progress was made through the year in the removal of families to
new accommodation and the acquiring and boarding up of vacated properties.
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