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for the reception of these materials at the Parndon tip. The
agreement in this connection is for a period of three years with
option to renew for a further two years.
The fleet of refuse collection freighters was maintained in good
condition throughout the year and one new vehicle was added ; the
vehicles in use were four Karriers, one Shelvoke and Drury
freighter and two Fordsons.
Street cleansing was maintained under difficulties during the
year. The Lewin Road Sweeper functioned satisfactorily but the
number of miles swept per hour did not exceed two. Throughout
the year, too, street orderlies were called upon to reinforce the
refuse collection staff when freighter crews were below strength
on account of illness or absence on annual leave.
Trials were carried out in the use of a two cubic yard Morrison
Electricar utilising this vehicle in conjunction with gang sweeping,
and the results of the trials were very satisfactory. It is possible
that further mechanisation of the street cleansing service will be
considered by the Council as street orderlies are still difficult to
recruit.
During the year under review the Council again had to give
very serious consideration to the use of communal kitchen waste
bins on the streets of the Borough. Renewed complaints were
received as to the disturbance of these bins by cattle and in addition
it had become increasingly evident that from a hygienic point of
view such bins were not only undesirable but also insanitary.
Furthermore, the amount of kitchen waste which was being
collected was so small as to make the whole proposal an uneconomic
one.
Ultimately the Council resolved that kitchen waste bins should
be withdrawn and instructed the Chief Sanitary Inspector to
investigate and fully report on a scheme for the collection of kitchen
waste in the Borough from individual containers at dwelling-houses.
The decision of the local authority in relation to that report will be
the subject of comment at a later date, but one important aspect
of the matter must be that the burden of kitchen waste collection
throughout the country has fallen only on those authorities whose
areas are situated within a reasonable distance of a concentration
plant. In terms of finality therefore it may be that the whole
question of kitchen waste collection must resolve into consideration
by the Associations representing the various types of authority.
Road gullies were cleansed by contract as in previous years,
those gullies in main roads being cleansed four times per year and
those in district roads twice per year.
The Public Sanitary Conveniences were maintained in good
condition throughout the year. During Bank Holidays the facilities
at the Bury Road Convenience were taxed to the utmost, but the
working of additional hours by the attendants coped with the
situation.
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