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14
tance has been given to improvement of environment by the
setting up of general improvement areas and resulting in this
Authority in the establishment this year of its first General
Improvement Area under the new Act.
Food Hygiene still requires continuing vigilance especially
now that more imported food is increasingly sampled for the
first time nearer to its point of sale to the public.
Other parts of this Report show the wide range of duties that
concern the Public Health Inspector; and increase the development
of his advisory function year by year in new developments
while maintaining his vigilance of old problems in new guises.
Finally that section of the environmental health staff concerned
primarily with either containing or reducing where possible
rodent infestation and nuisances caused in other ways continue
this extremely valuable work. Feral pigeons, wasps and
urban foxes causing nuisance vary with the weather and availability
of food. While rats show a decrease in number there is now
generally an increase in mouse infestation. Variations are inevitable
but nonetheless the need for a specially skilled staff is always
necessary.
In conclusion I wish to thank the Heads of Sections and my
staff for their continued support. Especially would I thank Mr.
D. J. Tinson, Chief Administrative Officer, who came to the
Department in September and has so quickly taken up the reins
from my former Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. N. Collins,
now Assistant Director in the Social Services Department, who
helped me so efficiently and cheerfully over the past five years.
Mr. S. F. Judd, Senior Administrative Officer and former
Chief Clerk to the former Bromley Authority retired early in the
year and I acknowledge his many years of service. Dr. Sara Syrop
left Bromley for a senior appointment with Bexley, and I would
wish to thank her for her wonderful work in developing the
Mental Health Services.
Liaison with the Hospital and Medical Practitioner Services
has continued throughout the year and the Medical and Nursing
staff in particular have received the most valuable help from the
various voluntary organisations in the Borough with whom they
have worked in harmony and unison for so many years.
Finally I would thank for their unfailing support the Members
of the Council and especially the Chairman and Members of
the Health Committee. I am sure that they will continue to find
whatever changes the future holds, the same unswerving loyalty
and service from all in the Health Department.
L. R. L. EDWARDS,
Medical Officer of Health.