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District Public Health Inspection
There has been a marked improvement in the general environment and in the housing stock in recent years but
it is necessary for vigilance to be maintained to ensure that no matters which could be prejudicial to health or a
nuisance are overlooked.
Where the attention of the department, either by complaint or by the observance of a Public Health Inspector, is
drawn to such a situation the person concerned is advised of the matter and is invited to take effective action to
abate the nuisance. If action is not forthcoming in reasonable time then a statutory notice is sent specifying the
works required and setting out a time limit for the work to be carried out. If the work is not then completed the
matter is referred to the magistrates court.
During 1972 6,365 visits were made to investigate complaints and 761 informal notices were sent requesting
action to remedy unsatisfactory conditions. In 268 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occasions but 8 cases were subsequently withdrawn upon satisfactory completions of the works required
before the dates of the intended Court hearings. The other 5 resulted in fines totalling £30.00 and costs
£35.00. In 100 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 owner's default at 37 premises. The Council's expenses in these cases become official charges against the
premises and are recorded in the register of Local Land Charges.
Old People's Welfare
Sometimes elderly people are found to be living in very distressing conditions. Frequently it is possible to improve
these conditions by the removal of large quantities of unwanted materials and goods, by disinfection and
deodorisation and by securing essential repairs thus making the work of other social services more effective.
Noise
Many complaints are received concerning noise and each is investigated. Usually the noise can be classified with
one of two categories. Firstly noise emanating from business premises where informal approaches by the
Public Health Inspector to the managements usually achieves 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 usually caused by machinery or 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.
Drain Stoppages
Where complaints concerning obstructed drains are received the Public Health Department first investigates to
see if the obstruction can be cleared by a simple action such as plunging. If so this is carried out by the Public
Health General Assistants free of charge. In the event of a 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
Engineers Department which has 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 1,150 drains were cleared by the Public Health Department and 545 jobs were passed to the Borough
Engineer's Department. It was also necessary to serve 25 notices under Section 17, Public Health Act, 1961 and
in 8 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.
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