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The area of the Borough covered by Orders either in operation,
or confirmed but not operative, is 7,136 acres. The total number of
premises involved in these areas is 45,686. Comparable figures at the
commencement of the year were 6,807 acres and 42,573 premises.
In addition, Areas 21, 22 and 23 will cover an additional 695
acres with 4,593 premises.
On 1st January, 1971, the percentage of the total ' black area'
acreage in the Greater London Area, which was covered by Smoke
Control Orders confirmed or awaiting decision was 77.4 and the comparative
figures for the London Borough of Merton was 76.
The total number of visits made during 1971 in connection with
the Clean Air Acts, for all purposes, was 12,885.
After the operative date of any Order, observations are made from
time to time by Public Health Inspectors and Technical Assistants to
ensure compliance, and I am pleased to report that no obvious contraventions
have been recorded.
Noise Abatement Act, 1960.
Excessive and unwanted noise is one of the great problems of
life. In areas where residential housing ends and industrial development
begins, it is sometimes difficult to strike a balance between what
is acceptable, considering the nature of the area, and what standards
should be used to determine the degree of nuisance or annoyance.
Assistance is given in this respect by the use of noise level meters,
and by the application of British Standards and of recommendations
contained in the Wilson Report.
During the year 1971, 127 complaints regarding noise were received,
and the investigation of these entailed 456 visits, many of
which were made outside normal office hours.
The most common cause of noise complaint were factories (25),
domestic premises (25) and commercial premises (16).
The Council has associated itself with the Local Authorities
Aircraft Noise Council, and I attended several meetings of this organisation
during the year.
Legal proceedings were instituted in two instances during the
year, under Section II (3) of the Noise Abatement Act, 1960, against
persons sounding loud-speaker chimes attached to ice-cream vehicles
outside permitted hours. In each case the defendants pleaded guilty,
and fines together with costs were imposed.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Acts, 1933-1941
One hundred and four applications were received for Certificates
of Entry, Retention, or Alteration from persons who wished to
sell poisons included in Part II of the Prescribed Poisons List.
The Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926.
Twelve samples of fertiliser were submitted to the Agricultural
Analyst. Two were found to be unsatisfactory, and after investigations
had been made with the manufacturers or suppliers, the Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food were notified on Returns.
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