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15
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTOR
for the year 1960
Town Hall,
Anerley Road, S.E.20.
July, 1961.
To the Chairman and Members of the Urban District Council of Penge.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I desire to present my Annual Report for the year ended 31st December,
1960, setting out the work of the Public Health Inspectors.
Slum clearance work has occupied a prominent place in the Department's
activities during the year.
There can be little doubt that this work must continue for some years.
Much of the district is ripe for re-development. Houses built 80 or more years
ago which comprise a large part of the housing accommodation of the area, are
generally speaking worn out and below the standards laid down for fit dwellings.
Details of the work carried out and to be carried out will be found within
the Report.
A year ago in my Report I ventured to draw attention to the need, in my
opinion, of powers to deal with houses let in multiple occupation, known as
Houses-let-in-Lodgings. It is therefore with some satisfaction that I note the
Housing Bill at present before Parliament contains provisions in that behalf
which, if and when embodied in an Act, will give the needed powers to secure
better standards of housing accommodation in this class of dwelling.
In the same report I suggested that the powers of local authorities to require
good management of blocks of flats were needed, and it is with regret I observe
no provision in this behalf is contained in the Housing Bill.
During the year the completion of the survey of the first smokeless zone was
carried out with a view to the area contained therein being designated under the
provisions of the Clean Air Act, 1956.
Complaints numbering 483 (excluding those in connection with rodent
infestation) were received, the majority being concerned with housing defects and
nuisances.
All complaints were investigated and appropriate action taken where
necessary.
The amount of work done following action taken by your Inspectors will be
seen set out in the summary of work executed.
Every effort is made to secure compliance with the requirements of the
department by informal action, but it was unfortunately necessary to take legal
proceedings in three cases with the following results:—