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Following a recommendation from the Sub-Committee the Public
Health Committee decided in principle to establish a smoke control
area in that part of the Snaresbrook Ward enclosed by Grove Road,
Woodford Road, Hollybush Hill and the western boundary. This
area included 354 council flats and approximately 1,200 privately
owned premises.
The "decision in principle" was subsequently approved by the
Minister of Housing and Local Government, but further action was
deferred by the Public Health Committee.
Although the financial implications of smoke control areas are
important and must be given careful consideration, these should be
secondary in matters of public health. The estimated cost in grants
to make the whole Borough a smoke control area is £52,000, and
whilst this is a considerable sum, it is completely dwarfed by the
figure of £250 million annual cost of atmospheric pollution given in
the Report of the Committee on Air Pollution. This latter figure
is only of losses that can be given a monetary value.
Whilst it would be ideal for a number of adjoining authorities to
work together to plan smoke control areas, the difficulty of organising
a combined effort was well illustrated by a conference held at
Leyton in October. This was attended by a number of surrounding
authorities, and except for providing a useful exchange of information
and views, it was completely negative on any progressive steps
towards the goal of clean air.
The Clean Air Act thrusts a heavy responsibility on local authorities,
and it is most important that each authority should examine
its programme carefully, and satisfy itself that in the event of a
repetition of the disastrous fog of 1952 it has done all that it possibly
could to minimise the effects.
Shortage of Public Health Inspectors —Training
Both the Public Health Committee and Establishment Committee
discussed the advisability of appointing a student to the Public
Health Department and decided in the early part of the year under
review to agree to the suggestion of the National Joint Committee
and make such an appointment. In March an appointment was made
from eight applicants for the post.
NEW LEGISLATION
Housing Act, 1957
This Act consolidated various enactments relating to housing and
came into effect on the 1st September, 1957.
Rent Act, 1957
The Rent Act, 1957, which came into effect on the 6th July, 1957
repealed Section 26 of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954,
which dealt with Certificates of Disrepair and set out in the 1st
Schedule Part II a revised procedure for granting such Certificates.
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