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34
SECTION C
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
The Chief Public Health Inspector reports as follows:—
"GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES"
Insofar as the general environmental health services of the
Borough are concerned, the problems dealt with during the year
emphasize the great change in the nature of complaints made to the
health inspectorate.
For instance, much play was made of the alleged exhorbitant
price of pre-packed fuels, particularly when sharp cold spells present
themselves. The price charged, of course, has to include the special
cost of the fuel container, the handling of small quantities, its
transport and storage during low demand periods and in particular
the need for special packing appliances.
The difficulty of fuel supply and its price could be alleviated
somewhat if adequate bunker space were provided in all new premises.
Even this would avail little where the aged and poor cannot
afford to buy ample fuel to tide over excessive cold spells. It is
hoped that more fuel stores can be provided at large housing sites
and that the merchants will extend the "pay as you use" principle
throughout the year.
Smoke Control Areas have been the subject of much inspectorial
activity and the Council's ten year programme progressed as quickly
as the fuel supply system and the shortage of staff dictated.
The water courses and balancing lakes within the Borough,
especially in the Council's Parks, were seriously contaminated by
oil deposits. This is due, no doubt, to the wilful acts of irresponsible
persons who pour waste oils from cars and machines into the
district surface water drainage system. An examination of the
Cranbrook Park Lake which had to be cleansed, indicated the gross
pollution of our streams.
The Public Health Act 1961 gave power to local authorities to
take any necessary steps to eradicate nuisances caused by pigeons,
house doves, starlings or sparrows. The Council assumed this
responsibility with alacrity and instituted a scheme of bird destruction
by trapping and disposal by a humane method. A large