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GENERAL SANITATION
Factories and Workplaces. The number of inspections made to
premises registered under the Factories Act, 1961, was 487. Defects
relating to sanitary conveniences, ventilation and other sanitary matters
were dealt with at 20 premises. The table on page 28 gives details of
action taken during the year.
Water Courses. Regular inspections were made of the water courses
in the district, particularly of the River Wandle, and Beverley and Pyl
Brooks for the purpose of detecting pollutions. Details of pollutions
entering from the Council's surface water sewers were received from the
Surrey County Council and investigated.
Rats and Mice. 255 complaints of infestation were received during
the year and as a result of the inspections of 2,034 premises 258 of them
were found to be infested. The control methods recommended by the
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food were followed in every case.
A 10% test baiting of the Council's soil sewers was made and 140
manholes were included. Of this total, 17 manholes showed 'takes' and a
poison treatment was carried out immediately afterwards.
The Rodent Control Service is free to occupiers of domestic property
but a charge is made for work on business premises. The total income
from this source was £149 14s. 8d. in the financial year 1962-63, including
the sum of £83 6s. 8d., which is paid annually by four firms under
contract. Expansion of the service to commercial concerns is restricted
only by the labour at my disposal, the two rodent operators being fully
engaged with present commitments.
Pigeons. The Council are now empowered by Section 74 of the
Public Health Act 1961 to reduce the numbers of pigeons in the area.
Nuisances from pigeons were the subject of a number of complaints and
various experiments were carried out, including netting and trapping, to
ascertain the best methods of catching the birds.
This work can be very time consuming and it is hampered by the
likelihood of adverse public reaction if precautions are not taken.
In September 1962 a licence was granted by the Minister of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food, authorising me to use narcotised bait to
reduce the numbers of pigeons in approved situations. In the autumn a
treatment was successfully carried out, 70 birds being destroyed out of a
flock of approximately 90. The need to avoid public reaction necessitated
the work being done in the early hours of the morning just after dawn.
Insects. Five complaints of vermin (bugs and fleas) were received
and dealt with without charge, as were 45 wasps nests.
31 complaints of infestations by other insects including ants, silver
fish, and flies, were received and advice given.
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