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appreciation of the difficulties of owners and tenants alike and in
the reasonable nature of their requirements, brought about
improvements in 631 houses, with the service of only 131 statutory
notices.
In addition to the above, inspections revealed that the
basement rooms of 20 houses were unfit for human habitation and
were not capable at reasonable expense of being made so fit.
Following consideration of reports on the condition of these
basement rooms, the Council made Closing Orders under the
Housing Act, 1936, prohibiting the use of the basement rooms for
human habitation.
Inspections made of three cottages in Church Hill, N.21
revealed that these cottages were in such a condition as to be unfit
for human habitation and were not capable at reasonable expense
of being rendered so fit. Following consideration of reports
submitted on the condition of the cottages, the Council made
Demolition Orders in respect of them, under the Housing Act,
1936. The cottages were thereafter demolished by the owners.
Housing Applications:—
Continuing the work begun in 1945 at the express wish of
the Housing Committee, the Sanitary Inspectors visited 560
housing applicants during 1949 and made reports in each case
relating to living conditions. As previously, each report contained
full details of the number of people living in the house, the manner
in which the accommodation was being utilised, the state of health
of the applicants, and other relevant facts, together with an
indication of the urgency of need for alternative accommodation.
The number of visits made in this connection during 1949
compared with 969 visits in 1948. This decrease is, of course,
to be expected. I feel, however, that the work has been
of real value, and am pleased to record that the close liaison which
has existed between the Public Health Department and the Housing
Department continues to be maintained and that it serves a useful
purpose.
Food Hygiene:-
During the year, 1,273 visits were made to food premises in
the Borough. As a result of these visits, it was found possible to
bring about improvements, and generally to encourage a higher
standard of food hygiene.
The formation of the proposed Food Hygiene Guild in
Southgate was postponed because of a variety of circumstances
which called for careful consideration. It is fully anticipated that
1950 will see the inauguration of such a Guild within the Borough.
Until the Guild is formed, the Public Health Department will
continue its previous efforts to maintain and, where necessary, to
improve the standard of hygiene in premises and among personnel
preparing, handling and distributing foodstuffs.
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