View report page

Public Houses.
Two of the Department's Inspectors carry out the supervision of the hygienic
conditions in public houses, each of the 149 licensed premises being visited at least
twice a year. There are 44 public houses undertaking main meals.
Particular attention is paid to the availability of an adequate supply of hot
water, and at four premises a hot water supply was supplied during the year at the
instigation of the Department. Arrangements for washing glasses were improved
in 18 premises during the year by the installation of automatic detergent doses,
which operate in conjunction with the water supply to the bar well sink. Owing
to the restrictions on building works, improvements involving work of a structural
nature, particularly with regard to sanitary conveniences, have been confined to
10 public houses for defects of a serious nature.
Pet Animals Act, 1951.
This Act requires that no person shall keep a pet shop except under the authority
of a licence granted by the local authority in accordance with the Act. It is an
offence to sell any pet animals in any part of a street or public place (except at a
stall or barrow in a market) or to sell pet animals to persons under 12 years of age.
In determining whether to grant a licence, a local authority shall have regard
to the need for securing that animals will at all times be kept in accommodation
suitable as respects size, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness;
that they will be adequately supplied with food and drink and visited as necessary;
that all suitable precautions will be taken regarding infectious disease; and
that the animals will not be sold at too early an age. The administration of this
Act is to be carried out by the Health Department. The Council has adopted a
series of general conditions for inclusion in licences to be issued under the Act.
There are 8 pet shops in the Borough, and these will be visited periodically by the
Sanitary Inspectors.
Legal Proceedings.
During 1951 it was found necessary to institute legal proceedings in 41 cases
in order to obtain compliance with notices served by the Sanitary Inspectors under
the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, and other relevant Acts, Regulations and
Bye-laws. Of the total summonses, 12 were withdrawn, the work necessary to
comply with the notices being in hand at the time of the hearing, and a further
24 summonses were adjourned. Four abatement orders were obtained and in the
remaining cases fines totalling £5, with 2 guineas costs, were imposed.
Persons in Need of Care and Attention.
During the year it was found necessary to apply to the Court for a removal
order in respect of an elderly Eltham man who was found to be living in insanitary
conditions and in need of care and attention. This man had been living under
insanitary conditions for some years and the conditions had been getting steadily
worse. His room was overcrowded with furniture and in a deplorable condition.
His personal condition was far from satisfactory and his clothes were very dirty
and smelled objectionably. Over a long period many Home Helps had been
engaged to help but in every case they had resigned until it was found impossible
to provide the services of a Home Help. Repeatedly the man had been offered
accommodation in a County Council Old People's Home but he had persistently
refused. An Order for his removal to Ladywell Lodge for three months was made
by the magistrate. He continued to reside there without further application to
the magistrate.
A number of other reports were received to the effect that elderly people were
thought to be needing institutional care. Even where in such cases removal was
clearly imperative, no Court application was necessary as it was possible to arrange
their voluntary removal to a hospital or institution.
17