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fortunate that I have an excellent team of Health Inspectors in
Southgate, and this is not only fortunate for me but a matter of
good fortune for the Council. The Inspectors are keenly alive
to the fact that the duties which they perform are closely allied
to the continued prosperity of the Borough, that the role which
they play should never be under-estimated. The time has almost
come when I may have to ask for an additional Inspector. That,
however, will be a matter of report to the Establishment Committee
in due course.
As will be seen from the paragraph entitled "Air Pollution"
which appears later in my report, good progress was made during
1961 in the further implementation of the Council's programme
under the Clean Air Act in respect of Smoke Control Areas. In
the early part of the year, much of the detailed work was carried
out in connection with the Council's No. 2 Smoke Control Area.
In order to give full information to residents in the Area and to
obtain details required for the formulation of a report to the
Council, nearly two thousand dwellings were visited by the Public
Health Inspectors. Personal approach of this kind, in my opinion,
is invaluable in establishing good relations with residents, serving
to ensure that all are fully informed and, so far as the Council
is concerned, ensuring the accuracy of the information required
by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government when the
Order is submitted for confirmation. It is, I think, true to say
that the lack of objection to the Order and the smoothness with
which it proceeded to eventual confirmation by the Minister in
September was brought about in no small measure, by the care
with which the preparation work was carried out by the staff,
inspectorial and clerical alike. Immediately following confirmation
of the Order, many residents put in hand necessary conversions
and adaptations to their fireplaces in order to obtain the utmost
benefit in the approaching winter months from the improvements
effected. The actual date of operation of the Order is not until
1st October, 1962. At the close of the year, preparation work had
commenced in connection with the Council's No. 3 Smoke Control
Area. Regarding industrial premises in the Borough, it is pleasing
to note that these gave little or no cause for complaint throughout
the year in the matter of air pollution.
It is perhaps not always realised that the Public Health
Inspectors in Southgate are also Shops Inspectors. This is a happy
arrangement, since the duties appertaining to both fields must be
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