London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Willesden 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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19
In March, 1954, the Council decided to organise house-to-house inspections in selected areas in
the borough. Sanitary Inspectors made a preliminary survey so that the Council could determine the areas
requiring immediate attention. They chose 64 roads containing about 4,230 houses. The survey commenced
on the 1st April.
At the end of the year, 42 per cent. of the houses in the planned survey had been inspected (Table
1); three out of four had defects (Table 2). The Council served notices for remedying defects under the
Public Health Act, 1936, and the Housing Act, 1936. Eight owners appealed against the notices, but as
agreement was reached on a modified schedule of repairs in six, four were withdrawn and two adjourned
by the court; one appeal was upheld and one is still outstanding (Table 3).
TABLE 1 General Housing Survey, 1954
| Houses Inspected | Re-inspections | Total Inspections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,761 | 4,640 | 6,401 | |
| Houses in all respects reasonable fit for human habitation | 407 | ||
| Houses with slight defects | 30 | ||
| Houses with slight defects requiring action | 1,324 | ||
| Total | 1,761 | ||
TABLE 2
| Defects | |
|---|---|
| Chimneys | 367 |
| Roofs | 652 |
| Gutters and downspouts | 672 |
| Soil and vent pipes | 288 |
| Brickwork | 677 |
| Windows | 1,081 |
| Paving | 420 |
| Water closets | 550 |
| Drainage | 86 |
| Walls and ceilings | 1,020 |
| Moors | 471 |
| Totals | 6,284 |
TABLE 3
| Notices Served | Results of action taken | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 9, Housing Act, 1936 | 997 | Work completed | 367* |
| Section 93, Public Health Act, 1936 | 17 | Work commenced or negotiations proceeding | 568 |
| Section 39,Public Health Act, 1936 | 5 | Notices served, time limit not expired | 284 |
| Section 45, Public Health Act, 1936 | 14 | Work to be carried out by the Borough Engineer in default | 59 |
| Intimation notices | 247 | ||
| Appeal outstanding | 1 | ||
| Appeal upheld | 1 | ||
| 1,280 | 1,280 | ||
*Including 43, work carried out by Borough Engineer.