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14
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTOR
for the year 1957
Town Hall,
Anerley Road, S.E.20.
28th May, 1958
To the Chairman and Members of the Urban District Council of Penge.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In presenting the Annual Report of the Public Health Inspectors for the
year ended 31st December, 1957, I would at the outset have it noted that the
work of the department has been handicapped by reason of being without a
District Inspector. It should also be noted that the coming into operation of
the Rent Act, 1957, placed considerable work on the department both as regards
administrative and inspectorial work.
I am indebted to all members of the department for their co-operation and
efficient service.
During the year 597 complaints (excluding those in connection with rodent
infestation) were received, the great majority being concerned with housing
defects and nuisances. All complaints were investigated and appropriate action
taken when necessary.
In addition to verbal intimation of defects in premises, 335 written informal
notices and 51 statutory notices were served under the Public Health Act, 1936.
Three hundred and fourteen intimation notices and 38 statutory notices were
complied with.
The Local Authority, in default of the owners, had carried out works
required by four statutory notices under Section 39, Public Health Act, 1936.
The Council also did the work required by seven notices served under
Section 24, Public Health Act, 1936, respecting defective public sewers
(previously known as combined drains) at seven premises.
The amount of work done following action taken by your Inspectors will
be seen on reference to the summary of work executed.
Every endeavour is made informally to have notices complied with before
statutory action is taken.
It was found necessary to institute legal proceedings against the owners
or agents of three properties in order to abate nuisances caused by housing
defects, with the following results:—
case no. result
1 Summons adjourned sine die since contractor had commenced the
work between the taking out of the summons and the date fixed for
hearing.
2 Order made to do work in six weeks.