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Street areas are included in this programme, as well as the continued clearance of
the St. Mary's area where the results of the Council's work during the past three
or four years are now very evident.
Satisfactory progress was made during 1955 by the Council in increasing the
consumption of smokeless fuel in the Borough. The Council's decision to set up
its first Smokeless Area means that tenants in Council accommodation in this area
shall burn only smokeless fuel. The response has been good, and the results after
a year's working are encouraging. The Council's tenants and other occupants of
premises have co-operated extremely well.
During the greater part of the year supplies of coke have remained good.
Despite an increase in price, tenants generally soon become accustomed to burning
smokeless fuel instead of coal and appreciate the extra benefits to be derived from
this form of heating. Very few complaints have been received.
The Council will be reviewing the working of this scheme in the light of
experience gained during the last year.
The attention of the Council and other statutory and voluntary workers in
the Borough has been again directed to giving assistance to old people, of whom
many in the Borough live on their own and have no relatives to give them daily
help. The range of help given is wide, and this work is still expanding.
The importance of getting the old people together and in a spirit of friendship
and companionship is recognised. The local Darby and Joan Clubs and the Pensioners'
Clubs play a valuable part in helping lonely old people. In addition, entertainment
for old people is provided by the Council and by several voluntary bodies.
Other voluntary help in the Borough includes the running of two Lunch Clubs ;
the holiday scheme, which continues to prove very popular ; free transport on
occasions ; bathing facilities ; and the important service of home visitation.
The long awaited Food Hygiene Regulations were issued at the end of the
year. Most of the Regulations became operative immediately, but the operation
of certain provisions involving alterations to food premises or equipment were
deferred until 1st July, 1956.
The Regulations provide for the more hygienic handling of food, the cleanliness
of food premises, stalls, apparatus and equipment. The requirement that food
handlers must take reasonable steps to protect food from risk of contamination is a
big advance in food hygiene legislation. The improved requirements for water
supply should encourage both the cleanly preparation of food and the frequent
washing of hands by the food handlers.
The requirements of the new Regulations have been publicised in the Borough,
and the co-operation of food handlers and food dealers obtained. It is appropriate
to stress the value of continued publicity and education in this work, especially in
the case of the food handler. Nevertheless, the Regulations are there to be invoked
whenever necessary.
Regulations can help considerably, but public opinion can do even more. If
the public, and particularly the housewife, would always complain at the time and
cease to patronise shops where breaches of sound hygienic practice are noticed
quicker results would be apparent.
In conclusion, it is my pleasing duty to thank members of the Health Committee
and the Council generally for their support and kindly consideration throughout
the year. I also wish to place on record the efficient manner in which the staff
of the Department have carried out their duties at all times during the year.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
T. STANDRING.
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