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47
"The slovenly and thoughtless habits from which this dumping
springs are a matter of serious concern for they reflect the standards of
personal and general hygiene on which the health of the district and
nation depends.
"Further, these rubbish deposits provide conditions conducive to the
breeding of flies, mosquitoes, rats and other vermin and therefore present
a challenge to the public health worker and indeed to all who appreciate
cleanliness and strive for improved standards of living.
"Unfortunately there is no simple solution to this problem of
dumping. Health education undoubtedly has a part to play and
numerous ideas and suggestions could be put forward that might help,
for example the establishment of centres where garden waste and unwanted
bulky articles could be received, but until Local Authorities are
able to adopt a more generous attitude to the removal of refuse it
appears dumping will continue. I would like to see all the refuse a
household produces taken without charge by the Local Authority.
I would also like to see more refuse removed from business premises
and the sweeping by the Council of all service roads. Far too much
trade waste is disposed of by burning in small yards or in bins that are
placed in service roads. Far too much is retained in boxes in the hope
that it will be taken at a convenient time by one or other of the carriers
calling to deliver goods.
"Refuse encourages rats, burning creates bad feeling amongst neighbours
and litter begets litter and generally lowers standards. The urgent
public health need at the moment is to make the public litter and refuse
conscious."
Vandalism was another problem that had its effects upon the
standards of environmental hygiene. The damage caused within the
toilet accommodation provided by the local authority and by private
persons at restaurants and places of entertainment can only be described
as scandalous. At the conveniences provided by the Council where an
attendant is engaged full time, the standard maintained is high indeed,
but many of the unattended toilets suffer very badly at the hands of
the hooligans with the result that it is only with difficulty that the
minimum of essential facilities are kept in being.
I am aware that this matter is one to which a great deal of thought
has been given but I am afraid until there is a different attitude to public
and private property by that section of the community responsible for
the destruction and damage, the provision of hand washing and other
desirable facilities will continue to present many problems.
Factories
The Medical Officer of Health by Section 153(i) of the Factories
Act 1961 is required in his Annual Report to the Council to furnish in
a set form prescribed particulars about the factories in the district.