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14.
Public Cleansing.
A weekly collection of refuse and salvage was maintained and the
total weight of refuse disposed of at the Works was 11,812 tons, as
compared with 11,490 tons for the previous year. The Registrar
General's estimate of the population at mid-year 1954, 47,600 again
indicated a decline as against the estimate for mid-year 1953,47,770.
The continued reduction in the population figure from that revealed
by the census in 1951 (48,330) has not yet been the subject of careful
analysis and enquiry, but with a reasonably stable birthrate and a low
deathrate the general indications would point to emigration. The
number of premises from which refuse has to be collected, surprisingly
enough, shows an increase, the number for the year under review being
14,234 as compared with 14,117 for the year 1953/54.
The analysis of income on page 18 indicates a total figure of
£10,743 as against £9,595 for the previous year. Tonnages were well
maintained and the additional income was due to the increased sale of
waste paper, bottles and jars and metals. Unless some remarkable
changes occur in market prices it would appear that a sum of about
£10,500 must be accepted as an income ceiling, but this locally must
at least be regarded as a worthwhile contribution to the General
Rate Fund and nationally, if judged by the Costing Returns issued
by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, must compare most
favourably with many other local authorities.
The net cost per ton for the collection of refuse was 25s.3d as
against 24s.7d for the year ended March, 1954 and 24s.lOd for the year
ended March, 1953. The increase in the unit cost per ton is due to
Wages Awards, no additional men being employed during the year. Transport
costs were reduced from 11s.2d per ton to 10s. 5d per ton.
The establishment of refuse collectors remained as in previous
years at twenty men and. five vehicles were in daily use with two
vehicles maintained as spares. No new vehicles were acquired during
the year.
The net cost per ton for the disposal of refuse was 2s.l0d as
compared with 3s.9d for the previous year and 5s.7d for the year
ended March, 1953.
The net expenditure for the collection and disposal of refuse
and salvage, including loan charges were £16,56.1 or 28s. Id per ton
as against £16,286 or 28s.4d per ton for the previous year.
The new scheme for street cleansing utilizing three 24-cell
Morrison Electric Trucks with a driver and three orderlies to each
truck continued to prove satisfactory apart from difficulties in
obtaining personnel. The running and maintenance costs were again