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TO THE MA YOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OF THE
BOROUGH OF SUTTON AND CHEAM
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present to you the Annual Report on the health
of the Borough for the year 1960. It has been prepared in accordance with
Ministry of Health Circular Number 1/60.
The estimated population showed an increase of six hundred and
eighty. The birth rate was slightly higher at 13.6 per thousand of
population (13.0 in 1959). The death rate declined to 113 per thousand
of population from 12.0 in 1959. The infant mortality rate dropped to
13.9 per thousand live births (16.5 in 1959), which again compares very
favourably with the National rate. There was no maternal death for the
second year running.
There was a lower incidence of infectious disease, despite increases
in Whooping Cough and Dysentery.
There was no case of Diphtheria, Meningococcal Infection, or Enteric
Fever, nor, for the second successive year since 1944, of Poliomyelitis.
A mass miniature radiography unit visited the Borough from 21st
November to 1st December.
Housing remains one of the Borough's major problems. Too many
families live with grandparents, or have other shared accommodation, which
nearly always leads to irritation and friction and other ills. It is to be
hoped that the Council's efforts to institute a major housing scheme will be
successful in 1961. Five new houses or flats were provided during the year
and a further ninety one were planned or under construction at the end of the
year. Six families were transferred to New Towns and seven to Frimley and
Camberley during the year.
Work proceeded during the year on the design of Stage III of the
reconstruction scheme at the Worcester Park Sewage Works, and improvements
were made at the Sutton Sewage Disposal Works.
The controlled tip was closed in September on completion of the
Council's refuse transfer station, and since then all refuse is conveyed out
of the Borough for tipping.
The Noise Abatement Act, 1960, came into force on 27th November,
and should be of assistance in dealing with complaints arising where a
noise nuisance is found.
The water supply of the district was maintained at a high standard of
chemical and bacteriological purity. My thanks are due to the Water
Engineer and Chemist of the Sutton District Water Company for keeping me
advised on all matters affecting that supply.
The work of sanitation was efficiently carried out under the direction
of the Chief Public Health Inspector I thank him for his helpful
collaboration and report, and also the Inspectorial and clerical staffs for
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