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works were commenced prior to the Court hearing. Following
an adjournment for the completion of the works, the Court awarded
costs to the Council.
In another case of non-compliance with a Statutory Notice, the
Council carried out the necessary works, the cost of which is being
recovered from the owner.
During the year under review, the Council made Demolition
Orders under Section 11, Housing Act 1936, in respect of three
houses, viz. 80 Springfield Road, N.ll, and 34 and 36 Palmers
Road, N.ll. These houses were found on inspection to be unfit
for habitation and incapable at reasonable expense of being made
fit.
At the end of 1953, in anticipation of the passing of the new
Housing Repairs and Rents Bill, a preliminary survey was commenced
to obtain information necessary to enable the Council to
formulate their proposals for dealing with unfit houses in the
Borough. In this Bill, and in subsequent circulars from the Minister
of Housing and Local Government, it is envisaged that the Council's
proposals are to be communicated to the Minister within twelve
months of the passing of the new Act.
Housing Applications
Visits by the Sanitary Inspectors to applicants for housing
accommodation and the preparation of reports as to living conditions
has continued in 1953. The number of visits for this purpose
was 117 against 128 in 1952.
The close liaison between the Public Health Department and
the Housing Department has been maintained in 1953 as in previous
years. On several occasions I have been asked by the Town Clerk
to advise as to the degree of urgency on medical grounds applicable
to particular applications.
Food Hygiene
During the year, 1,880 visits were made to food premises in the
Borough as against 1,504 in 1952. As a result of these visits, it was
found possible to bring about improvements and generally to
encourage a higher standard of food hygiene.
A Clean Food Month was held in April. A copy of the special
report made to the Public Health Committee following this venture
will be found set out in Appendix II. It is not suggested that a
Clean Food Month should be held every year, although the total
expenditure involved was extremely small. I hope, however, to
make arrangements for a comparable campaign during 1955, since
the matter of clean food is one which should be brought to the
notice of food handlers and the burgesses in general from time to
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