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The Chief Public Health Inspector, Mr. A. Makin, reports:—
GENERAL
The year under review, including the first nine months of this new London Borough, has been
far from easy. In April the four Public Health Departments from Ruislip-Northwood, Uxbridge,
Hayes and Harlington and Yiewsley and West Drayton combined under one roof at Drayton Hall,
West Drayton, to form the Environmental Health Section of the Health and Welfare Department.
From that date there has been considerable effort towards the establishment of an efficient working
unit. Progress has been difficult because of the shortage of staff, particularly of district public health
inspectors. At the end of the year only six posts out of fourteen were filled and the serious effects of
this deficiency will be seen throughout this report.
Reasonable progress was made in smoke control as this makes little demand on district public
health inspectors' time, but other important aspects of the work have of necessity received far less
attention than one would have hoped. This applies particularly to the inspection of offices, shops and
the enforcement of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, the inspection of factories, sampling
of food and drugs, inspection of food premises, the multiple occupation problem and the implementation
of the Council's slum clearance and improvement area programmes.
The work at London Airport has extended especially in connection with the examination and
sampling of imported foods and aircraft water supplies.
The implementation of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act at London Airport was the
responsibility of the Factory Inspectorate during 1965 but with effect from the 1st April, 1966, and
the coming into being of the British Airports Authority, the responsibility will be that of the Local
Authority.
Applications for Improvement Grants have been dealt with but the programme for compulsory
improvements has fallen behind schedule, as has the programme for dealing with unfit houses.
Two aspects of work give cause for concern. These are:
1. Food Hygiene and in this connection it is regrettable to have to report that the standards
of many food handlers and food premises are far from satisfactory. Details of unsatisfactory conditions
are reported in the appropriate section of the report, but it must be stated that improvement
will not be effected and maintained until it is possible to carry out more frequent inspections. It
cannot be emphasised too strongly that good standards can only be maintained by frequent visits by
the district inspector.
2. Multiple Occupation. The degree of multiple occupation in the Borough is not fully known
but there is no doubt that it is increasing. Certainly, houses in particular parts of the area are
tending to be used for multiple occupation and as soon as staff is available for this work greater
efforts will have to be made to improve the housing standards in these areas.
HOUSING
Improvement Areas
The Borough Council have agreed on a ten year programme for the improvement of dwellings
to deal with an estimated number of 2,700 houses which are lacking in one or more of the standard
amenities.
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