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Work in Default
It was not necessary to do works of repair to houses in default as all
owners on whom notices were served under the Housing and Public
Health Acts carried out their obligations satisfactorily.
The reconstruction of drains and a public sewer serving two houses
and repair of a length of sewer also serving these and adjacent houses
were carried out to remedy serious defects in the lengths.
Work in connection with the repair of the public sewer above was
held up for several months as the. owner of one house denied ownership
until served with a court summons for failing to supply the Council with
information as to his interest in the property.
A public sewer serving four houses had to be partly re-made because
the faulty construction of the existing one had permitted tree roots to
enter and cause obstruction.
Minor repairs to a manhole on a further length of public sewer were
also carried out.
All the works were carried out by private contractors on behalf of the
Council. Costs have been or are in the process of being recovered from
the owners.
Notice was served upon the owner of a large house under Section 72
of the Essex County Council Act, 1952 to clear the obstruction from the
drainage system. The Public Health Committee authorised the Chief
Public Health Inspector to carry out the work in default if necessary.
After much persuasion the owner arranged for his contractor to carry
out the necessary work and for the insertion of two new manholes to
faciliate rodding in future.
Overcrowding
It is pleasing to note that the Department did not receive any complaints
regarding overcrowding during 1961.
Wasps Nests
82 wasps nests were destroyed during the year.
Meat Inspection
Frequent inspections of the local wholesale meat depot have been
made during the year, and of vans and vehicles using the premises.
Minor infringements of the Food Hygiene Regulations have been dealt
with informally. In general, the premises and the vehicles maintained a
satisfactory standard of hygiene.
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