View report page

24
Sundry Nuisances abated:
Overcrowding (under Public Health Acts) 4
Smoke 3
Accumulations of refuse 99
Foul ditches, ponds, etc., and stagnant water —
Fowls, pigs, and other animals 3
Dampness 1,559
Yards and forecourts paved, repaved or repaired 908
Walls and ceilings cleansed 8,868
Verminous rooms purified 533
Leaky roofs made watertight 1,241
Additional ventilation provided under floors 371
Dilapidated plaster repaired 3,419
Flooring and other woodwork repaired 2,974
Damp-proof courses inserted 625
Water supply reinstated 33
Washhouse floors repaired or repaved 345
Fireplaces and stoves repaired 1,320
Decayed brickwork repaired and repointed 905
Sinks provided or replaced 511
Additional light and ventilation provided to staircases 168
Larders or food cupboards provided or ventilated 1,196
Gutters and rainwater pipes repaired or renewed 1,194
New sash cords and glass provided to windows 3,820
Miscellaneous 2,345
Total number of Nuisances abated 35,786
Inspection of Premises where Food is prepared:
Butchers', Provision, and General shops 749
Fish shops (wet, dried and fried) 270
Eating houses 130
Greengrocers' shops 304
Ice-cream premises 98
Stalls 314
Special inspections under Meat Regulations 19
Canal Boats Act, 1877, and Public Health Act, 1936.—The number of boats inspected
during the year 1938 was 12 (16 inspections).
No contraventions of the Regulations were found.
No legal proceedings were taken during the year.
No case of infectious disease was notified or traced and no boats were detained for cleansing.
Offices.—During the year a survey was made to ascertain the number of offices in the District.
It was found there are about 400 offices, 250 of which are in connection with factories and the
remainder in connection with municipal offices, banks and premises occupied by solicitors, surveyors,
etc.
As a result of an inspection of these offices action was taken to remedy certain unsatisfactory
conditions found.
Offensive Trades.—There are 6 Rag and Bone Dealers carrying on this business in the
district, all complying with the Bye-laws.
Bye-laws relating to Houses Let in Lodgings.—Bye-laws were made by the Council of
the Borough of Willesden with respect to houses which are occupied by persons of the working classes
and let in lodgings or occupied by members of more than one family. These were allowed by the
Minister of Health on 1st September, 1938, and came into operation on the 1st October, 1938. These
Bye-laws repealed those made by the Urban District Council of Willesden on the 26th July, 1927, and
by the Urban District Council of Wembley on the 2nd April, 1931, and which were confirmed by the
Minister of Health on the 18th April, 1928, and the 25th June, 1931, respectively, so far as Willesden
is concerned.
Underground Rooms.—There are approximately 1,229 houses in Willesden with basement
rooms coming under the definition of " underground rooms." These 1,229 houses contain 2,017
basement rooms.
Of 1,396 rooms which can be made to comply with the basement regulations 386 have been
dealt with, leaving 1,010 still to be brought up to the standard required by the regulations of 1909.
Of 348 rooms which could not comply 97 rooms have been closed; 44 of these being closed
during 1938, leaving 251 awaiting consideration by the local authority. Of the 97 rooms which have
been closed, 7 were permitted to be used as stores, 64 rooms have been vacated, and 26 rooms are still
in occupation.
Six Appeals were made against Closing Orders, one of which was withdrawn. Five Appeals
were made respecting front and back basement rooms of five houses, the Judge varied the Closing
Orders so that in each case the Orders applied only to the front basement rooms. The Judge excluded
the back basement rooms because he was of the opinion that the Council's Regulations originally made
under the Act of 1908 could only apply to rooms habitually used as sleeping places.