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89
REPORT OF THE CHIEF PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTOR
P,E, KINTON. M.R.S.H.. M.A.P.H.I.
1970 was a notable year for the very great publicity given to
Public Health, Never before have the topics of the environment,
pollution and conservation been so much in the news. European
Conservation year awakened the interest of the general public to the
advantages of caring for all that is worthy of preservation and on
both sides of the Atlantic concern was expressed in the most dramatic
terms that pollution of our environment ~ the atmosphere and the seas
could produce a threat to the very existence of mankinds
This welcome publicity serves to illustrate the work we have been
doing in the department for years but the value of all the publicity
will only be of value to the community if these matters are not
forgotten. Everyone can make a contribution to improving the environment
by eliminating unnecessary noise, refraining from dropping litter,
by avoiding nuisance from garden bonfires, maintaining property,
preventing dogs from fouling footpaths. As a department, we will
continue to pursue every opportunity to protect the health of the
community and improve the environment.
The year was marked by continued pressure of work particularly
brought about by the Housing Act 1969 with preparatory work for General
Improvement Areas and the requirements concerning the issue of
Qualification Certificates, The granting of these certificates is
proving to be a time consuming meticulous process which will result in
many rents being raised but it should also provide landlords with the
financial means for maintaining their property.
There was much concern from a public health point of view at the
time of the autumn strike of the refuse collectors but it was fortunate
that this occurred at a time when weather conditions were favourable.
The solid fuel supply situation gave further cause for some anxiety and
it was with reluctance that the Council decided to suspend 40% of its
smoke control orders for the winter.
The department was involved in detailed investigations into an
outbreak of infective hepatitis and the usual spate of holidaymakers
returning from abroad with food poisoning but fortunately none brought
cholera although this disease did spread from the East and it was
necessary to visit some travellers who had been in contact.