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119
vision of caravan sites for gipsies by local authorities and the
control of unauthorised encampments is not being brought into
immediate operation because of the present financial stringency.
Fortunately, for the residents in this borough, the powers
contained in the Orpington Urban District Council Private Act
of 1954 have enabled the Council, to a very large extent, to keep
the grass verges of the metropolitan roads and spare plots of land
free of unauthorised caravans but the additional powers will be
welcomed.
The general management of the permanent caravan site which
the Council provided last year for 12 gipsy families is exercised
by the Housing Manager.
DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE
The Council accepts as a legal responsibility the clearance of
certain types of public sewers and the work is undertaken by
Disinfector/Handymen employed by the Department. In addition,
private drains are cleared, but a charge is made in these cases.
Of the 1,492 instances of choked drains dealt with, 962
related to private drainage.
The trunk soil sewerage system is under the control of the
West Kent Main Sewerage Board and the Greater London Council.