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admittedly restricted, none the less affords us very great opportunities.
Co-operation with the County Council as local health authority
is assured and will have the advantage of allowing the Borough
Council's staff to devote their time and energies to work within the
sphere which has been allocated to them.
As noted elsewhere in this report, special efforts are being made
to arouse more interest in food hygiene, and to effect practical
imprints in this quite important branch of public health.
Arrangements have also been made for a thorough inspection of
all school premises within the Borough. This will be the subject of
a special report to the Development Sub-Committee of the Education
Committee.
During 1947 a request for additional staff was met by the
appointment of a fourth sanitary inspector. The wisdom of this
appointment has already made itself felt.
Housing.—The Public Health Department continues to cooperate
with the Housing Department in the investigation of cases
of overcrowding reported in the district. This co-operation has
always been cordial, the work having been willingly undertaken by
the sanitary inspectors. It would appear that 1948 will see the end
of an accumulation of inspections, and that thereafter it will be
possible for the inspectors to devote more time to their normal duties.
It should, however, be stated that the investigation of these housing
cases has been a useful exercise, bringing to light conditions which
might otherwise have escaped notice.
Inspection and Supervision of Food.
It became increasingly obvious during 1947 that more attention
should be paid to the various cafes and canteens in the Borough.
Our school canteens are of course, very adequately supervised,
while the few canteens in large factories in the district are in most
respects satisfactory. The same cannot be said for all the small cafes
and eating houses scattered throughout the district. Several
schemes were considered, with a view to stimulating interest among
the staffs of cafes and canteens in the vital subject of food hygiene.
The time did not appear opportune to embark upon any ambitious
project, but it was felt that something should be done if only on a
modified scale. Arrangements were therefore made to hold an
inaugural meeting and demonstration, to which canteen workers
and cafe proprietors and staffs would be invited. This meeting is
being held during 1948, and will be followed by similar meetings,
should this course appear advisable.
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