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26
The Council depots, sewage disposal works, refuse tip, piggeries
and open spaces have received constant attention.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food require as
one of their conditions of 'Grant' that an Authority's soil sewer
system shall be subjected to an annual 10% test baiting and any
infestation found subjected to initial and maintenance treatments.
After consultation with the Ministry it was decided to waive the
annual 10% test baiting of sewers for this year. This gave a saving
of expenditure which, however, may result in some increase in
cost for the year 1955.
Constant liaison is maintained with officers of the infestation
division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I
have always found them most helpful and co-operative, not only
with practical advice but in the loaning of apparatus required for
the occasional special problem. The Workable Area Committee
meetings are held from time to time at which difficulties and
new methods of rodent control are discussed. The damage done
yearly to foodstuffs and the potential danger of the spread of
disease renders the subject of great public health importance.
HOUSING ACT, 1949 — IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.
Following the additional publicity given to Improvement
Grants both nationally and locally, numerous inquiries were received
and much preliminary work carried out by way of detailed
inspection and advice although ultimately the majority of these
applicants decided not to proceed further with their applications.
Unfortunately few inquiries were received from property owners
other than owner-occupiers. Three applications were submitted
to the Council, two of which were refused and one granted.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Under the provisions of Section 50 of the National Assistance
Act, 1948, it was necessary during the year to arrange for two
burials.
As mentioned in previous reports the pit at Norbiton Potteries
had become flooded and the water impregnated with chromates
(as (CrO3). On the completion of the joint scheme of experimental
wet tipping at Egham early in the year, the Council decided to
complete the filling of this clay pit so that it could be used for
an open space.