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25
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
The obligations of the Council under the Prevention of
Damage by Pests Act, 1949, have been fully met. The work of
rats and mice destruction continues on a well organised basis,
providing a free service to householders and making appropriate
charges in the case of business premises.
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 the soil sewer system
shall be subjected to an annual 10% test baiting and any
infestation found subjected to initial and maintenance treatments.
277 sewer manholes were test baited and in only one section of the
sewer system was it necessary for initial and maintenance treatment
to be carried out.
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. Workable
Area Committee meetings are held from time to time at which
difficulties and new methods of rodent control are discussed.
HOUSING ACT, 1949 — IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.
Following further publicity given to the availability of improvement
grants and the easing of the applicable conditions under
the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954, numerous enquiries
have been made and premises inspected. Seven grants were
approved during the year, three refused and two applications were
withdrawn.
A particularly interesting case was an application by the
Maiden and Coombe Housing Society Ltd. and the Maiden and
Coombe Old Peoples Welfare Association for the conversion of a
house into 8 flatlets for old people together with accommodation
for a house mother. After consideration by the Council and the
Ministry of Housing and Local Government a scheme was finally
approved. The premises were officially opened on the 26th
November, 1955. The cost of the works approved for grant
purposes was £3,120. 16s. Od. a 50% grant of £1,560. 8s. Od. being
made. The rentals are fixed so as to cover the estimated annual
expenditure without showing a profit, and the tenants are enabled
to maintain their independence which is so important to old people.
In my view with the difficulties arising from an ageing population
there is scope for much more work of this nature throughout the
country.