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Licensing of Pet Shops.
There are eight pet shops in the Borough, and these are licensed annually by
the Council and are visited periodically by the Sanitary Inspectors, to ensure that
the requirements of the Pet Animals Act, 1951, and the conditions subject to which
licences are issued, are being complied with. Twenty-nine inspections of pet shops
were carried out during the year.
Some minor amendments in the licences issued to persons to keep a pet shop
were made by the Council during the year.
Heating Appliances (Fireguards).
Legislation to prohibit the sale or letting of certain heating appliances without
an effective fireguard was introduced by the Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act,
1952. Regulations have now been made by the Home Secretary to come into
operation on the 1st October, 1953, which require fireguards to be fitted to gas
fires, electric fires and oil heaters which are so designed that they are suitable for
use in residential premises and which are of such type that without a guard
there is a likelihood of injury by burning.
The Regulations specify the standards of construction and the fitting for
guards and the tests to be employed in ascertaining whether guards comply with
these standards. Heating appliances other than imported appliances manufactured
before the coming into operation of the Regulations and not fitted with the requisite
guard, may be sold or let until 1954. There are exceptions exempting certain classes
of sale or letting from the provisions of the Act: for example, sales for export
and letting on hire which is incidental to the letting of premises.
The Act confers on duly authorised local authority officers powers of inspection
and testing in respect of the heating appliances covered by the Regulations, and
local authorities are empowered to institute legal proceedings for offences under
the Act committed in their area. The Council has authorised the Medical Officer
of Health and the Council's Sanitary Inspectors to carry out the duties of duly
authorised officers under the Act.
Fouling of the Pavement by Dogs.
During 1952 the Council instituted proceedings against the owner of a dog
for an offence against the Council's Byelaws regarding the fouling of the pavement
by dogs. A fine of 5s. was imposed.
Legal Proceedings.
During 1952 it was found necessary to institute legal proceedings in 21 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
Byelaws. Of the total summonses, five were withdrawn, the work necessary to
comply with the notices being in hand at the time of the hearing, seven summonses
were adjourned, and in the remaining cases six Abatement Orders were obtained.
Fines totalling £9 and £14 10s. Od. costs were imposed.
Public Houses.
Two of the Sanitary Inspectors carry out the inspection and supervision of
the hygienic conditions in public houses. There were 478 inspections carried out
at the 149 licensed premises, and as a result of these inspections 278 defects were
found which necessitated the service of 32 informal notices and three formal
notices. The defects were subsequently remedied.
Relaxation of building licences resulted in structural improvements in 15 cases.
Brewers generally are eager to improve washing facilities and sanitary accommodation,
and works of this nature have been carried out voluntarily.
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