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problems of real public health concern, the vast majority of those inspected in Sutton
were found to be of an acceptable standard. The properties inspected were, however,
only a small proportion of the total number of buildings let for multi use in Sutton
Borough and during the last quarter of 1972 a comprehensive survey of the situation
commenced.
5.7 COMMON LODGING HOUSES
There are no common lodging houses in the Borough.
5.8 SURVEY - HOUSING ACT, 1969
At the request of the Ministry of the Environment a sample survey of one thousand
dwellings selected at random by computer was carried out. The results of the survey
reported to the Health and Housing Committee on the 18th October, 1972 is repeated
in appendix 5.b.
5.9 REPAIR
Using the provisions of the Public Health and Housing Acts the Public Health Inspectors
were able to arrange for many items of disrepair of private houses to be attended to. In
nearly 100 cases damp conditions were remedied. At 75 properties gutters or down pipes
were repaired or renewed. 173 defective windows were repaired or renewed and many
other items of disrepair were dealt with.
It is distressing that it is still the occasional duty of a Public Health Inspector to deal with
a home which has deteriorated through failure to maintain normal levels of household
maintenance to the level of dirty premises and which has become a public health nuisance.
5.10 DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE
The service is justly proud of the prompt attention which is given to drainage problems.
1,922 drainage and sewer system were cleared, an increase of 250 over the 1971 figures
which were 100 more than 1970. Drainage repairs and reconstruction were supervised.
One feature is that damage was found to be occurring to the private frontage drains of
residents as a result of the inefficient work of contractors employed on pipe laying in
the public highway.
The whole of the Borough is covered by a sewerage system, and main drainage is available
to all but a few isolated properties. Sewage disposal arrangements are adequate.
5.11 MOVEABLE DWELLINGS
During the year work commenced to improve the Council's caravan site in Carshalton
Road, Woodmansterne and to raise it from the status of a temporary to permanent site.
Regular visits are paid to this site in order to ensure that no fouling or misuse of the
land for storage purposes would cause a threat to the water supply, as Carshalton Road
is part of the general catchment area for mains supply. At the same time on the eastern
edge of the Borough the London Borough of Croydon was creating a site for travellers.
5.12 INFECTIOUS DISEASE ENQUIRIES
Enquiries on behalf of the Medical Officer of Health are generally carried out by the Public
Health Inspectors in the Housing Team and disinfections and disinfestation treatments are carried
out under their supervision.
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