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Routine Public
Health Work
The large number of complaints concerning living accommodation received by the
Section continued during the year. Despite the Council's continued slum clearance programme,
this is a reflection of the ever higher environmental standards demanded year by year by the
public, a demand nurtured both by increased personal incomes and by the educational effects
of the media and others. However, we have only to look about us, especially in the southern
half of our Borough to realise the vast amount of work remaining to be done. While it has been
said the Public Health Inspector exists to work himself out of a job, there appears no likelihood
of this happening in our lifetime.
Food
Sampling
The satisfactory level of routine sampling was maintained throughout the year, few
examples of adulteration, pesticide residues or bacterial infection were encountered. The
number of food complaints received from consumers remains at a high level. It is right that
the standard demanded by the housewives is rising and there is certainly no room for
complacency. Members of the public often do not appreciate that whilst inspections,
investigations and representations are always made concerning each item of food which is
the subject of complaint, it is not usually possible to prosecute the offender for the particular
incident unless the complainant is prepared to attend the Magistrates Court as witness for the
Council. Complaints generally fall into two categories - the suspected presence of foreign
bodies in food and allegations of mould or staleness. In spite of the installation of increasingly
sophisticated equipment for the detection of foreign substances and metal by most large food
processers, there still remains a problem which is not completely solved. Allegations of mould
and staleness frequently occur in pre-packed products particularly in bread, meat pies, sausages
and cheese and where substantiated have usually arisen due to lack of proper stock rotation.
The proposed introduction of date coding may well result in a reduction of complaints
of this type.
Gypsies
The problems associated with some itinerant caravan dwellers are too obvious to
require much amplification. Stories of vandalism; old car dumping; bonfires; lack of proper
water supplies and sewerage, along with almost non-existent education for their children are
legion throughout many areas of North-East Londonl Unfortunately, many of these tales are
true, as the Inspectorate are only too well aware.
In consultation with the Gypsy Council, the Borough provided a small site in the
north west of the Borough for 16 caravans to comply with the Caravan Sites Act, 1968 and
occupation commenced in July 1972. A warden has been appointed who lives on the site and
the occupiers pay a rent for the services provided. It is the Government's view that if all
Local Authorities make some provision for the estimated 15,000 itinerants in the country it
will go far towards offering these people a more settled mode of life if it is their desire.
Unfortunately, not all Local Authorities are anxious to shoulder their responsibility in this
manner and it would be manifestly unfair if the ratepayers of this Borough were to be expected
to play host to an ever increasing number of non-paying guests occupying unauthorised sites.
The costs in expensive public service manpower alone are sufficient to deter even the most
liberal minded Authority, and the physical dangers to which the Public Health Inspectors in
this Borough have been exposed in the course of their duties concerning unauthorised caravan
sites have necessitated Police attendance on several occasions.
When the Secretary of State agrees to declare the Borough a designated area under
Section 12 of the Caravan Sites Act, 1968 unauthorised encampments by itinerants can be
adequately controlled within the Borough.
Finally I record my thanks for the loyal support of the Public Health Inspectorate who,
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