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28
Sanitary Administration.
The Annual Report should be able to show steady progress
maintained by the environmental health services. Until the war
years, this has been true—during the war, however, progress was
halted. Since the end of the war, recovery has proved slow by reason
of other demands on output in the national recovery drive.
Restrictions are being lifted, however, in some directions, and
co-operation from outside is proving greater than has been the case
hitherto.
One factor which must not be overlooked is the question of
making available to the public, information dealing with the
services provided by the Department. This is being increasingly
met through the medium of "Tottenham Calling" and also by
lectures and talks to various bodies and organisations.
Progress is a relative term—but it is only by public co-operation
that it can be ensured.
Housing.
Housing in its various aspects, has continued to be the main
preoccupation of this department during the year under review.
The easing of building licence restrictions has, however, gone
some little way towards encouraging the more enlightened type of
property owner to do things for himself.
Here and there some of the larger estates are being brightened
by a much-needed application of outside paint. In many cases
this only serves to emphasise the deterioration which has taken
place in adjoining houses.
In this connection, under the powers of Section 260, Middlesex
County Council Act, 1944, a dwelling house which has not been
kept "sufficiently repaired and painted—so as to prevent the dilapidation
thereof," is deemed a house "not in all respects fit for
human habitation." Here, one would imagine, is all the power
necessary to have outside painting done. It must be remembered,
however, that a "right of appeal" exists to the County Court. In
another district of Middlesex such an appeal recently succeeded,
and it is essential to be satisfied that the work is necessary to prevent
dilapidation, before requirement of this work.
The department, however, does specify this item in Section 9
Housing Act notices when the occasion demands.