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113
effect in reducing the number of occupants of the controlled
premises. This of itself does not necessarily solve the problem
of satisfactorily housing these people in that they are forced
to go to other premises where like conditions are invariably
produced. Nevertheless, it does focus the attention of owners
of houses on their obligations under the Acts to provide
suitable sanitary circumstances in premises having particular
regard for the number of occupants thereof. It is pleasing to
record that many of the owners have carried out essential
works to comply with the Directions given by the Council; in
some cases, preliminary inspection and notification of the
results thereof have induced owners to either reduce the
number of occupants or to make the necessary provisions
without recourse to statutory action.
Applications for re-housing based on medical priorities
amounted to 157 in 1966 in consequence of visits and reports
by the Public Health Inspectors on the home circumstances
obtaining and as a consequence of consultation with the
private medical practitioners and/or the hospital authority.
The continued use of land within the Borough by itinerants
occupying an assortment of caravans both mechanically and
horse propelled, principally the former provided a recurring
problem. These so called "gypsies" occupied various sites
within the Borough and still do, necessitating many visits by
the Public Health Inspectors to ensure that the sanitary
circumstances arising from the occupation of these sites
are satisfactory. It is unfortunate that the occupiers of
these movable dwellings are ignorant of the most elemental
of hygiene conditions. Many of the caravans are overcrowded,
lack water supply, food storage accommodation and proper
sanitary conveniences with the result that the occupants
deposit much waste matter, faecal, animal and vegetable, on
the land they occupy, they leave a great deal of refuse behind
them and cause considerable nuisances to occupiers of adjacent
premises with their demand for water and the use of
sanitary facilities. They trespass without hindrance on other
people's land, damage fences, hedges and trees which results
in a continuing number of complaints from the persons who
suffer by the depredations of these itinerants. Efforts to solve
the problem by carrying out inspections of premises after
serving a 24 hour notice of such intention on the occupiers and
the service of a preliminary notice has the salutary effect of
causing them to move the caravans. This, however, merely
provides a temporary alleviation of the nuisances for they
transfer themselves to other sites and in many cases lodge