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As life becomes increasingly more complex and the general standard of living rises there will always be a number
of people who, either from choice or by necessity will opt out of the standards of the community as a whole.
Such people sometimes by their actions or omissions cause nuisance to their neighbours and the neighbourhood
and it is necessary for action to be taken to remedy the situation.
The inspectors investigate all complaints and they also initiate action following their own observations. The
attention of the person responsible is drawn to the existence of a nuisance and that person is invited to remedy
the matter. If this is not done a statutory notice is sent specifying the works required and setting out a time
limit for the work to be carried out. If this is not done then the matter is referred to the Magistrate's Court.
Increasing use is made of scientific instruments and frequent consultations with the Council's specialist advisers
are made. National publicity has made the community more pollution conscious and more people nowadays have
a much greater knowledge of their rights and of the services available to them. The investigations necessary in this
regard is increased because of the unfortunately large numbers of people who need help, guidance and advice to
enable them to cope with modern living conditions.
During 1971 7,459 visits were made to investigate complaints and 699 informal notices were sent requesting action
to remedy unsatisfactory conditions. In 181 instances it was necessary for this informal approach to be followed
by the service of statutory abatement notices. Legal proceedings were taken against defaulters on 14 occasions
resulting in fines totalling £85.00 and costs £96.00. In 102 cases where the normal procedure for securing the
abatement of statutory nuisances would have been unduly lengthy having regard to the defective conditions
arising, urgent notices were served under the provisions of section 43 of the Tottenham Corporation Act 1952 and
repairs were carried out by the Council in the owners' default at 42 premises.
Noise
Many complaints concerning noise are received and each is investigated. Usually the noise comes into two
categories. Firstly noise emanating from business premises where informal approaches to the management usually
achieve the desired co-operation. Frequently a good deal of technical research and experiment is necessary to
satisfy the legal requirements that the best practicable means shall be used to minimise the effect of the noise or
vibration. The second category concerns noise in private homes caused by machinery and electrical equipment
sometimes in conjunction with work carried out on the premises. If necessary the co-operation of the Town
Planning Department is sought to ascertain whether the use is appropriate to domestic premises.
Local Bye-laws concerning noisy instruments and also noisy animals are a great help in appropriate cases. Sometimes
complainants are advised that the proper course of action would be to take legal advice with a view to taking
a civil action in the Courts.
Drainage 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 owners of the premises. During the
year 1,114 drains were cleared by the Public Health Department and 550 jobs were passed to the Borough
Engineer's Department. It was also necessary to serve 22 notices under Section 17, Public Health Act, 1961 and in
14 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.
Accumulations of Refuse
Once again there has been a good deal of dumping of refuse matter on open spaces throughout the Borough. This
practice is conducive to the harbourage of vermin and causes a great deal of work for the inspectorate.
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.
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