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9. MORTUARIES
There are two mortuaries in the Borough; one provided by the former Richmond
Borough Council on a site close to the Petty Sessions Court and the other provided by
the former Twickenham Borough Council in the grounds of the Public Library at
Hampton.
The mortuary at Hampton has continued to function satisfactorily, but at the
Richmond mortuary there have been difficulties regarding staffing and in respect of the
suitability of the building. Despite this, considerable use was made of the unit when
it is considered that for six months of the year the building was closed because we were
unable to obtain a mortuary keeper. Every effort was made to improve conditions and
facilities having in view that due to inherent difficulties of siting and congestion the
building is not up to standard and cannot be made so.
The number of bodies admitted to the two mortuaries during the year was:
Richmond 154
Hampton 689
10. NOISE ABATEMENT ACT, 1960
This Act provides that noise, or vibration, which is a nuisance, shall be a statutory
nuisance for the purposes of the Public Health Act, 1936. Proceedings can be taken
by the Local Authority or by three or more persons, each of whom is the occupier of
land or premises and is, in that capacity, aggrieved by a noise nuisance.
The Act provides also that in proceedings brought in respect of noise or vibration
caused in the course of a trade or business, it shall be a defence for the defendant to
prove that the best practicable means have been used for preventing and for counteracting
the effect of the noise or vibration.
The Act does not apply to noise or vibration caused by aircraft.
During the year 31 complaints of noise nuisance were received and 325 inspections
carried out by Public Health Inspectors.
It was not necessary to institute any legal proceedings, the informal action taken
satisfying all complainants.
11. RAG FLOCK AND OTHER FILLING MATERIALS ACT, 1951
This Act is designed to secure the use of clean filling materials in upholstered
articles and other articles which are stuffed or lined.
All premises at which filling materials are used in the course of business must be
registered with the Local Authority and there are two such premises registered in this
Borough.
9 visits were paid by Public Health Inspectors to registered premises and 4 samples
were taken and submitted for analysis. All were reported as satisfactory.
12. DISEASES OF ANIMALS ACT, 1950
PET ANIMALS ACT, 1951
ANIMAL BOARDING ESTABLISHMENTS ACT, 1963
RIDING ESTABLISHMENTS ACT, 1964
The Corporation of London, already acting as agents for the Council in respect
of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1950, from the 1st April, 1966, extended the scope
of their functions to cover all the above mentioned Acts.
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