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to the clothing trade where noise arises from the use of such machinery as sewing machines. Practical measures
are recommended with the object of reducing the transmission of noise and vibration and if necessary the opinion
of the town planning department is sought to ascertain whether the use is permissible in certain domestic premises.
Sometimes complainants must be advised that the proper course of action would be to seek legal advice with a
view to taking a civil action in the Courts Local bye-laws concerning noisy loudspeakers and also noisy animals
are a great help in dealing with appropriate cases.
Drain Stoppages
Where complaints are received of obstructed drains the Public Health Department first investigates to see if the
obstruction can be cleared by some simple action such as plunging. If so, this is carried out by the Public Health
general assistants free of charge. In the event of the stoppage being more resistant, the owner is notified that
immediate action is necessary to clear the drain and is invited to sign a form requesting the Borough Engineer's
staff which has the use of heavier equipment to deal with the matter. In these cases the person responsible must
undertake to meet the Council's charge.
If agreement cannot be reached statutory action is taken under Section 17 of the Public Health Act 1961
whereby the Council does any necessary works and recovers the cost thereof from the owner of the premises.
During the year 980 drains were cleared by the Public Health Department and 383 jobs were passed to the
Borough Engineer's Department. It was also necessary to serve 27 notices under Section 17, Public Health Act,
1961 and in 15 of these cases to carry out the clearance in the owners' default.
House Drying
Assistance is given when premises have been saturated, caused possibly by burst water pipes or tanks or major roof
defects. Powerful hot air blowers and dehumidifiers are taken to the premises and greatly speed up the drying out
process.
Accummulations of Refuse
An unfortunate trend towards indiscriminate dumping of rubbish on any available site has continued throughout
the year. The practice is conducive to the harbourage of vermin and causes a great deal of inspection and
administrative work for the department.
Diseases of Animals Act 1950
The Council is the responsible local authority under this Act, but no local emergency arose during the year which
required special action in this respect.
Pet Shops and Animal Boarding Establishments
19 premises are licensed as pet shops and there are two licensed animal boarding establishments in the Borough.
Regular inspections are made by the public health inspectors to ensure compliance with the Council's licensing
conditions, and arrangements have been made for veterinary supervision of the premises and animals to be carried
out by Mr. F.G. Buxton, F.R.C.V.S.
HOUSING
Unfit Houses
Progress continued, but because of the limitations on the Council's resources, at a reduced pace, in the
representation of areas of houses considered to be unfit for human habitation and in the confirmation for
clearance of such areas. Areas of houses listed in the Council's Inspection Area Programme for 1970 were
examined in detail and reports and recommendations were made appropriate to the conditions found upon
examination. Targets for the year as to number of areas inspected and the anticipated dates of reports on the
areas were not fully achieved, partly due to staff shortages and also in some measure due to the pressure of
activity under the Housing Act 1969 in relation to sounder houses and to a lowering of emphasis upon the urgency
of dealing with houses already unfit for habitation.
Observations were made during the year of progress in the clearing of sites of confirmed clearance areas. At five
confirmed areas clearance of the site was completed and work proceeded at seven other confirmed areas.
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