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46
There are 221 outworkers' premises in the district. At 130 of these
wearing apparel is dealt with, being either made or cleaned; at 62
Christmas crackers and Christmas stockings were made.
Shops Acts
Local authorities are concerned with shops in different ways. The
earliest of the Shops Acts related more especially to the hours the shops
could remain open. Later legislation dealt mainly with the hours of
employment of young persons. As a sanitary authority, the Council
is concerned about such matters as the ventilation and temperature of
shops and the satisfactoriness of the sanitary accommodation. As an
authority responsible for administering the Shops Acts, the Council
has further responsibilities about lighting, about facilities for washing
and for the taking of meals.
There were at the end of the year 2,357 shops in the district, an
increase of four in the number at the end of the previous year. During
the year 1,496 visits were paid. Nearly 300 contraventions were found.
Most of the contraventions found were in respect of the keeping of
records or of the failure to exhibit the notices required by the Shops
Acts. It was necessary to take summary proceedings about one offence.
Such proceedings are taken only if at least two warnings have been
given and ignored.
Places of Public Entertainment
The Minister of Health many years ago suggested that the Sanitary
Authority should arrange for all theatres, music halls, and other places
of public entertainment to be visited periodically with regard to their
sanitary condition. The Secretary of State also suggested that when
considering an application for the grant or renewal of a licence of any
theatre or other place of public entertainment, the licensing authority
should require a certificate from the sanitary inspector that the condition
of the building is satisfactory in sanitary and other respects.
There are 76 premises in the district licensed for public entertainment.
These include 10 cinemas, 14 public houses, 13 church halls, 3 local
authority assembly halls, 21 schools and 12 private dance and other
assembly halls, clubs, etc.
In addition to the attention of those responsible for the maintenance
of these premises being drawn to any unsatisfactory condition, reports
on their state and especially that of the sanitary accommodation are
forwarded each year to the Clerk of the County Council.
Licensed Premises
There are 57 licensed premises in the district. Although at most of
them the state and adequacy of the sanitary conveniences are quite
satisfactory, at some there is room for improvement. A report about the
state of these premises is sent to the Clerk of the Justices each year just
before the Brewster session.
Keeping of Pet Animals
The Pet Animals Act, 1951, requires any person keeping a shop for
the sale of pet animals to be licensed with the local authority. Before