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Sub-Section (6) of Section 38 provides that a shop may be exempted from
the provisions of Sub-Section (2) if there is in force a certificate
exempting the shop therefrom granted by the authority whose duty it is to
enforce those provisions. A certificate is granted if the authority are
satisfied that by reason of restricted accommodation or other special
circumstances it is not practicable to provide such accommodation on the
premises and that alternative arrangements are conveniently available.
7 Certificates of exemption in respect of sanitary conveniences was issued
during the year. The number of inspections and re-inspections made during
the year was 915.
COMPULSORY REMOVAL OF AGED AND INFIRM PERSONS.
Under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, the Council are
empowered to apply to the Court for an Order for the removal to hospital
or other institution of a person who is aged, infirm or physically
incapacitated, and who is living in insanitary conditions and "unable to
devote to himself, and is not receiving from other persons proper care and
attention".
In addition, during 1951, the National Assistance (Amendment) Act came
into force. Under this Act, on certification by the Medical Officer of
Health and another practitioner, emergency removals of such people for
periods not exceeding three weeks may be enforced by the Courts.
No action under this Section was necessary during the year.
RAG DEALERS.
There are 14 premises in the Borough in which the business of Rag
Dealer is carried out. 20 visits of inspection were made during the
year.
THE PREVENTION OF ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.
The Clean Air Act came into operation on 1st June 1958. Provisions
concerning the prohibition of dark smoke from chimneys, measures for dealing
with grit and dust from furnaces, abatement of smoke nuisances and the
application of the Act to railway engines, vessels and Crown premises became
operative.
For the first time, legislation has been provided for dealing with the
emission of smoke from domestic chimneys. Section 1 of the Act provides
that - "Subject to the provisions of this Act, dark smoke shall not be
emitted from a chimney of any building".
All buildings, which includes dwelling houses, are subject to this section.
Proof of a public health nuisance is not required to obtain a conviction.