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100
Had it not been for the employment of three technical assistants
as from August, 1967, it would hardly have been possible to
establish the three Smoke Control Areas which were undertaken
and it would have been improbable if much housing inspection
could have been undertaken in Penge.
One casualty arising from the staff position and the consequent
very slow progress made was the Cumpulsory Improvement Area
being set up in Bromley. The two year period allowed for by the
Act for the completion of the work expired and it was necessary
to declare two new areas to incorporate those where it had not
been possible to initiate the necessary procedures. This is disturbing
as the Government has indicated that future legislation will
concentrate on the rehabilitation of these older houses.
Similarly, although the Committee approved new standards
for the several thousands of houses let in multiple occupation in
the Borough, it has not been possible to apply them except in a
cursory fashion.
The year, however, has not been without its compensations.
The total number of visits to premises in the area by Inspectors for
all purposes is recorded as 29,800 compared with 31.327 in 1966.
The previously mentioned survey of Penge and North West Beckenham
was carried out in conjunction with the Borough Planning
Officers' staff. My Inspectors undertook to survey the properties
most likely to be substandard and 474 dwellings were surveyed and
the results were passed to the Planning Officer for analysis.
Partly as a result of this survey it was decided to expedite the
Clearance of certain properties in Penge not included in the 1967
schedule of Slum Clearance. This necessitated the detailed inspection
of many properties of which 51 were represented and Housing
Act proceedings commenced in order to secure demolition.
Perhaps the major achievement of 1967 was the establishment
of three Smoke Control Areas totalling no fewer than 9,023
prooerties. The absence of serious fog in the past two winters is
undoubtedly due to this cumulative work combined with similar
action in neighbouring boroughs.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOODS
There is considerable legislation governing the standards,
quality, methods of production, sale and storage of foodstuffs
intended for human consumption. Public Health Inspectors therefore,
of necessity, spend a considerable proportion of their available
time visiting and inspecting shops, manufactories, stores,
markets, etc., and in giving advice and guidance where this is
found necessary. This educative work could with advantage be
increased.