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The provision by the Council of an authorised site was discussed
during the year at both Committee and Officer level. The Department
of the Environment and the leaders of the National Gypsy Council
were also consulted, and towards the end of 1971 the Council approved
a scheme for the provision of a site with 15 standings to be
constructed on the site of the former Wimbledon Sewage Works,
Durnsford Road, S.W.19. Financial implications, management matters,
occupation and other details were still under discussion at the
end of the year.
In the meantime a mains water standpipe and access to a soil
drainage connection has been provided on the North West Quadrant
(Mitcham) Site, and although conditions generally are far from satisfactory,
the provision of an authorised site by the Council should solve
this long-standing problem.
Registration of Hairdressers and Barbers.
The Council have adopted the provisions of the Greater London
Council (General Powers) Act, 1967, insofar as they relate to the
registration of Hairdressers and Barbers. At the end of the year, 159
premises were registered, and 121 visits were made during the year.
CONCLUSION
The full establishment of Public Health Inspectors referred to in
my last Report was maintained during the year, but in December,
1971, one District Inspector signified her intention to leave, having obtained
an appointment with another local authority. Two pupil Inspectors
were under training at the commencement of the year, and a
third pupil was appointed during the year. All three made satisfactory
progress in their studies, and the fourth vacancy remained unfilled.
A good standard of work was maintained by the staff of the
Environmental Health Section, but there are still problems to be overcome.
The volume and intensity of work grows year by year, and a
reappraisal of the establishment, which was determined in 1964, is
overdue.
On behalf of my predecessor, Mr. G. H. Cockell (now retired),
who was in office during 1971,I would like to express my appreciation
of the support of the Chairman and members of the various Committees
concerned with the work of the Public Health Inspectors, and my
thanks to the Inspectors, Technical Assistants and clerical staff for
their willing help and loyalty during his year of office.
J. P. SMITH,
Chief Public Health Inspector.
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